ADVENTURE AND ECO TOURISM TO TAKE OFF IN CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 5533 ) Zagreb, April 10 (Hina) - Dubrovnik-based travel agency Atlas believes Croatia compared to other European countries has unlimited possibilities in the development of adventure and eco tourism. Atlas's new programme for adventure and eco tourism in Croatia includes rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain climbing, cycling, sailing and diving as well as exploring the richness of the country's national parks, islands and rivers, says Atlas Adventures programme leader Zeljko Kelemen. The rafting programme offers one-day trips to the Dobra, Cetina, Kupa, Mreznica and Una rivers. Atlas has 30 of its own rubber rafts, 15 of which are new as part of an investment worth more than US$75,000, as well as its own guides and skippers. In its eco-tourism programme Atlas offers tours exploring Mljet island, the Gulf of Kvarner islands, the Kornati archipelago and the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes. The new programme was recently launched through 30 pages on the Internet under the title Croatia Adventure Atlas. The web-site is divided into three parts: the first shows adventure and eco tourism activity possibilities; the second contains information on Croatian rivers, islands, national parks and mountains: and the third has information on Croatia and how to travel to the country. Austrians generate an annual income of at least $30 million dollars from rafting activities just on the two rivers in the southern part the Tyrol mountains - the Oeltz and the Inn. Similar revenues are achieved from eco-tourism centres in Switzerland, northern Italy and southern France, which as well as Austria, are the only European countries who have developed resources for eco and adventure tourism, Kelemen said. Other world centres for eco and adventure tourism include the United States, New Zealand, Nepal, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. (Hina) jn mb /as 102149 MET apr 98