CROATIAN BOARD OF TOURISM SAVING-ORIENTED, OPTIMISTIC FOR THIS YEAR

ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - Judging by the good tourist results of the recent Easter holidays, it is to be expected 2000 will be the first real tourist year after last decade's war, Croatia's Tourism Minister Pave Zupan-Ruskovic told Wednesday's session of the Croatian Board of Tourism (HTZ) Tourism Council. The Council today adopted a revision of HTZ's financial plan for this year, according to which earnings will be 25 percent lower than envisioned and amount to 125 million kuna (US$14.9 million). This year, 45 million kuna (US$5.4 million) has been earmarked from the state budget for tourism promotion, which is 30 percent less than HTZ planned. Due to reduced earnings, HTZ also revised spending, including a 26 percent reduction in funds for promotion on foreign markets. This year, 62.4 million kuna (US$7.43 million) instead of the planned 84.5 million (US$10.1 million) will be spent to that end. Members of the HTZ Tourism Council today adopted an amendment to the HTZ Statute, according to which the HTZ Head Office director's right to dispose with sums exceeding 50,000 kuna (US$5,600) is limited. Also adopted was a decision on a five percent salary reduction for HTZ Head Office employees, while remuneration for members of HTZ's Tourism Council and Supervisory Board is interrupted until further notice. The HTZ Tourism Council suggested that employees in other tourist boards follow the economic situation in the country and also reduce their salaries by five percent. It was decided the television reporters sailing world cup would not be held this year. (hina) ha jn