HERAK: INDIVIDUAL GUESTS TO SAVE TOURIST SEASON THIS YEAR

ZAGREB, June 15 (Hina) - The cessation of NATO's strikes against Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) will encourage foreign tourists to come to the Croatian Adriatic coast, but it primarily refers to individual guests. This, however, can save only 60 percent of the tourist season, Croatian Tourism Minister Ivan Herak told Hina on Tuesday. Although no significant results should be expected from this tourist season, Herak believes that good foundation has been created for preparing the next tourist season when some six million holiday-makers may go on vacation in Croatia. There is still a shortfall in bookings for arrangements in the Croatian resorts, but the Minister hopes that, first of all, Slovenian, Austrian, Italian and German tourists will opt for Croatia this summer. As NATO's operations lasted until the mid-June, the Ministry's assessment that up to 1.5 billion US dollars of a loss may be recorded in incomes from tourism, has been proven true. To alleviate negative impact, means have been earmarked from the state budget for the additional promotion of Croatia's tourism at foreign markets. According to Herak, it would be satisfactory if there might be ten million less overnight stays than planned. The additional advertising campaign in Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Italy, has accomplished its goal and has laid good foundations for the 2000 season. Minister Herak is still to hold the last news conference as part of this campaign, in London on 22 June. (hina) ms