The first edition of Red Bull Air Race in Rovinj was held last year and it attracted more than 50,000 spectators and has become an important event promoting Croatia's tourism and Rovinj as an excellent destination, CEO of the Adris Group Tomislav Popovic said.
Images of Rovinj were sent to 280 world media outlets and live telecasts were viewed in several countries, he said.
Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin too underscored that this event was an excellent example of developing destination tourism and attracting tourist outside the peak season.
"I am exceptionally glad that this race is being held in Croatia for the second year in a row because that is an indicator of the positive impression the race had," he said.
"The importance of the event has been confirmed as it has been proclaimed the event of the year in Croatia. Istria recorded 30 percent more overnights and we need more of these events," County Prefect Valter Flego said.
The president of the Red Bull Air Race management, Erich Wolf, said that he was happy and honoured that the race was coming back to Rovinj.
Fourteen of the best pilots will race at the Red Bull Air Race World Championship consisting of eight races. The championship was launched in Abu Dhabi in February and will be held in Chibi in Japan for the first time in mid-May. After the Rovinj race the event will move on to Budapest, Ascot, Spielberg, Fort Worth and Las Vegas.