IN FIRST EIGHT MONTHS 34.3 MILLION OVERNIGHT STAYS IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Sept 7 (Hina) - There was a total of 34.3 million overnight stays in Croatia in the first eight months of 2000, or by 46 percent more as against the same period last year. According to figures released by tourist associations in seven Croatian Adriatic counties, foreign holiday-makers had 29.9 million overnight stays (by 58 percent more compared to the January-August period in 1999) and Croatians had 4.4 million overnight stay (less by three percent). The largest number of tourist overnight stays was registered in Istria County with 13 million (or 34 percent more than in the same period last year). Primorje Gorski Kotar had an increase of 37 percent to 8.2 million overnight stays. Zadar County reported 3.3 million stays (a 66%-increase), Sibenik- Knin County had 1.7 million (a 76%-increase). There were 4.9 million overnight stays in Split-Dalmatia County (or by 69 percent more than in the same period last year) According to these figures the biggest climb of 94 percent was registered in Dubrovnik-Neretva County with 2.3 million overnight stays. Germans with 6.1 million overnight stays were at the top of the standings of foreign tourists. They were followed by Slovenes (4.6 million) and Italians (four million). Czech guests were placed fourth with 3.7 million overnight stays. (hina) ms