PRIME MINISTER VISITS PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK

PLITVICE LAKES, Feb 26 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Friday visited the Plitvice Lakes National Park (about 100km south of Zagreb). In Grabovac, Matesa opened the newly reconstructed "MG" motel which had been completely devastated during the Serb aggression. Some US$2.46 million has been invested into the reconstruction of the motel which has 30 rooms and a restaurant. Matesa also visited the Plitvice Lakes "Jezero" hotel which is currently under reconstruction, the Korana camping site and the "Izvor" villa. After the Croatian military and police operation "Storm", nothing was left. Five people worked here, and now there are about 700 employees, with prospects of more than 900 persons working at the park by the end of this year, Matesa said. Tourism Minister Sergej Morsan said about 400,000 tourists are expected to visit the Plitvice Lakes this year, bringing in a revenue of US$14.47 million. When the "Jezero" hotel is completed it will be the centre of the tourist offer in the national park. The Plitvice Lakes National Park marks its 50th anniversary this year, since the Croatian Sabor pronounced the lakes a National Park. It also celebrates the 20th anniversary of being included on UNESCO's protected natural heritage list. (hina) lml mm