ZAGREB, July 2 (Hina) - Croatia's tourist season 2000 has made a very good start, as indicated by data on current tourist business and some 200,000 tourists visiting last weekend. Depending on the region, business is between 15 and
over 100 percent better than at the same time last year. Tourism Minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic and tourist workers expect the initial forecasts of a 20-25 percent increase in this year's tourist business in relation to 1999 will be surpassed. Croatia's tourism should, however, come into full swing over the next two years, says the minister. In spite of numerous problems encumbering hoteliers, especially those of a financial nature, this year tourist companies can expect returns. Ruskovic believes, however, significant profit will ensue only in the coming years. The political situation has made a significant contribution to better tourist business than
ZAGREB, July 2 (Hina) - Croatia's tourist season 2000 has made a
very good start, as indicated by data on current tourist business
and some 200,000 tourists visiting last weekend. Depending on the
region, business is between 15 and over 100 percent better than at
the same time last year.
Tourism Minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic and tourist workers expect the
initial forecasts of a 20-25 percent increase in this year's
tourist business in relation to 1999 will be surpassed. Croatia's
tourism should, however, come into full swing over the next two
years, says the minister.
In spite of numerous problems encumbering hoteliers, especially
those of a financial nature, this year tourist companies can expect
returns. Ruskovic believes, however, significant profit will ensue
only in the coming years.
The political situation has made a significant contribution to
better tourist business than in the recent past, giving Croatia,
says the tourism minister, a nicer image in the world.
Foreign tour-operators' interest in Croatia is increasing, and
Croatia's tourist companies have already began talks on selling
tourist arrangements for next year.
Minister Ruskovic, however, reminds that by the end of May, Croatia
realised only 45 percent of 1990's tourist business. This shows
that we have not yet attracted those tourists which used to spend
their holidays here before last decade's war, she says.
The minister believes that to bring, for instance, Scandinavian
tourists back to the Croatian coast, it is necessary to start with
promotion for the season 2002 now. Alongside the British,
Scandinavians vacation in Croatia ahead and just after the peak
summer season, thus prolonging the entire tourist season.
(hina) ha