BLAZES FAIL TO STOP INFLUX OF SLOVENE TOURISTS VISITING CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 3022 ) LJUBLJANA, Aug 11 (Hina) - Fires on the Dalmatian coastline and islands has not stopped the planned influx of Slovene tourists coming to Croatia, according to major travel agencies in Slovenia. Organisers of tourist holidays said there was no reason to temporarily delay Slovenes travelling to Croatia because of the blazes, and that all travels were going according to the forecast schedule. They said those who had decided to spend their holidays in Croatia had sought information on the extent of fire damage in Croatia's southern Adriatic region of Dalmatia, but did not cancel their bookings. Most of the tourist operators interviewed by the Slovene news agency STA said they had recorded much more Croatian business this year. According to Slovene travel agencies, Croatia remains the most popular summer holiday destination for Slovenes - in front of Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Spain and Malta. (Hina) mbr 111750 MET aug 98