TOURISM MINISTER THIS YEAR EXPECTS BETTER RESULTS THAN IN 1999

ZAGREB, Feb 25 (Hina) - Current announcements and sales of Croatia's tourist arrangements in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Great Britain indicate an increase in interest in tourist destinations in Croatia between 17 and 25 percent in relation to the same period last year. This means Croatia's tourism could this year reach results achieved in 1998. Tourism Minister Pave Zupan-Ruskovic has estimated this year's results will be better than in 1999, but that no significant increase in the number of foreign tourists should be expected in the next two to three years. The minister believes Croatia must first "return" tourists from Great Britain, France, and Scandinavia, and then start working on infrastructure which would extend the tourist season to eight or ten months. On the German market, the interest among tourists vacationing through travel agencies has increased by 17 percent in relation to the same period last year, when about half a million Germans spent their holidays in Croatia. In Austria, the increase recently recorded among holiday-makers arriving via travel agencies is of 22 percent in comparison to 1999. According to the latest data from the Czech market, 25 percent more Czechs are expected to vacation in Croatia this year, a result helped by the fact that this year Croatia has returned to the number one spot among the Czechs' favourite destinations. In Great Britain, the interest in vacationing in Croatia through travel agencies has also risen by 25 percent in relation to 1999. No significant increase in interest in Croatia's tourist destinations is expected in France and Italy. (hina) ha