10TH INTERNATIONAL TRADE TOURISM FAIR OPENS IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 2065 ) ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - Croatia has made a comeback to the international tourist market as an attractive tourist destination thus taking part in the great competition among countries on the Mediterranean tourist market, Croatian Tourism Minister Sergej Morsan said Wednesday. Morsan was speaking at the opening of the Tenth International Trade Tourism Fair, ITTF '98, taking place between May 7 and 9 as part of the Zagreb Fair, under the auspices of the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and the Croatian National Tourist Board. Croatia aims to improve its tourist service through the renovation and privatisation of hotels, Morsan said. Especially important is the concept of long-term development of Croatian tourism with special care given to environment protection, he added. Last year 5.2 million tourist arrivals in Croatia were registered, which is 34 per cent more than in 1996, the minister said, adding the number of overnight stays, at 33 million, was 41 per cent higher. Foreign tourists accounted for more than 80 per cent of overnight stays. Morsan pointed out last year's tourist revenue was US$2.5 billion. Zagreb Fair director Jurica Pavelic said foreign interest in Croatia as an attractive tourist destination is on the increase. The ITTF is the central manifestation for tourist promotion in the country. It links Croatia's tourist offer with representatives of foreign tourist agencies. This year's fair gathers 250 exhibitors from Croatia, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Italy, France and Slovenia. (hina) ha 062238 MET may 98