ZAGREB, April 8 (Hina) - Offices of Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) abroad have noticed that foreign tourist markets do not link directly Croatia with the Kosovo conflict, but many foreign tour operators have recorded noticeable
stagnation in the sale of arrangements for the main tourist season in Croatia. In case NATO air strikes continue, this may lead to cancellations of flights for Croatia, whereas foreign holiday-makers will then opt for other destinations, read the latest issue of the HTZ magazine "Barometar". At the Austrian market, a decrease of three percent has been recorded in booking of arrangements for Croatia, in comparison to the same period last year. In 1998, 133,950 Austrians spent vacation in Croatia, or 32 more than in 1997. In Germany there have been no cancellations of arrangements so far, but neither has there been a great interest in bookings. All bookin
ZAGREB, April 8 (Hina) - Offices of Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ)
abroad have noticed that foreign tourist markets do not link
directly Croatia with the Kosovo conflict, but many foreign tour
operators have recorded noticeable stagnation in the sale of
arrangements for the main tourist season in Croatia.
In case NATO air strikes continue, this may lead to cancellations of
flights for Croatia, whereas foreign holiday-makers will then opt
for other destinations, read the latest issue of the HTZ magazine
"Barometar".
At the Austrian market, a decrease of three percent has been
recorded in booking of arrangements for Croatia, in comparison to
the same period last year. In 1998, 133,950 Austrians spent
vacation in Croatia, or 32 more than in 1997.
In Germany there have been no cancellations of arrangements so far,
but neither has there been a great interest in bookings.
All bookings for Croatian destinations in April were called off in
France.
In Czech Republic and Slovakia people have asked much about
Croatia's tourist offers, but have not booked arrangements in a
significant number.
Hungarian tourists are being interested mainly in destinations in
Istria and Kvarner (northern Croatian Adriatic coast).
The Dutch media have released incorrect information that Croatia is
in principle safe but also a dangerous country. That's why the HTZ
office responded to the statement by forwarding an internal letter
to the ANWB main office saying that Croatia is a safe tourist
destination.
According to the current situation at the British market there was a
noticeable increase in the sale of arrangements for Croatia in
March in comparison to February. Nautical programmes have been
mostly sold at Transun and Holiday Options. Thomson's sales are 33
percent better than last year. Last year saw 39,548 Britons on
vacation in Croatia, or 61 percent more than in 1997.
U.S. tour operators are selling arrangements for Zagreb, Opatija
and Plitvice Lakes as well as special programmes, the so-called
city packages which include visits to Zagreb and Dubrovnik, for
retirees. According to estimates of the HTZ office in the United
States, 75 ships on a cruise are expected to arrive from the United
States in harbours of Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Split, Zadar, Rab
and Pula this year.
(hina) jn ms