FOREIGN TOURISTS RETURN TO CROATIA'S ADRIATIC

ZAGREB, Aug 10 (Hina) - In the last ten days of July, Croatia's summer resorts registered 2.1 million overnight stays, which is 20 percent more than in the same period last year. According to data the Croatian Tourism Ministry gathered in some 30 hotel companies along the Adriatic coast, foreign tourists account for 1.8 million overnight stays, or 27 percent more than in 1996. The most visited region on the Croatian Adriatic coast remains the northern peninsula of Istria, with 1.3 million overnight stays, i.e. 25.1 percent more than last year. Foreigners account for 1.2 million stays, or 27 percent more than in 1996. The rest of the Croatian coast registered 518,748 overnight stays (3.6 percent more than the year before), of which tourists from abroad account for a 12 percent increase. The Tourism Ministry data point to a constant revival of tourism in the southern coastal region of Dalmatia, touristically dead during the war. At the beginning of this year's tourist season peak, 228,958 overnight stays have been registered - 34 percent more than in the same period a year before. With 150,966 stays, foreign tourists visiting Dalmatia made up for an astounding 111 percent increase. According to data the Croatian Camping Association gathered up to 25 July, accommodation in camps was on the increase as well. Motor camps registered 3.3 million overnight stays up to that date, which is 31 percent more that in the same period last year. Camps in the northern Adriatic registered the biggest attendance: 1.8 million overnight stays in the region of Istria (22 percent more than in 1996), and 1.1 million in the Kvarner region (a 31 percent increase in respect to 1996). Camp attendance in Dalmatia marked a 65 percent increase in respect to last year, with 358,873 overnight stays registered. A poll conducted among foreign campers in Istria shows they come to Croatia by word-of-mouth and on friends' recommendation. They are most satisfied with the camps' reception services and good supplies in shops. According to a research by German motor club ADAC, the Istrian peninsula has camps of the highest quality in Croatia, some of which can compete with Italian ones. Camps in Istria were the first to introduce swimming pools, toilet facilities for the disabled, and special care for pets. According to data of the Plitvice Lakes National Park administration, more then 160,000 people visited the park by late July, with approximately 4,000 visitors a day, of whom 65 percent were foreigners. If this pace continues throughout August and September, the administration estimates this year will register a total of some 300,000 tourists, which is slightly more than in the pre-war period. The 16 waterfall-linked lakes at Plitvice are on UN's list of world natural beauties. This region of Croatia was liberated from Serb occupation in Operation Storm two years ago. Big means have since then been invested in its revitalization. (hina) ha jn 101229 MET aug 97