The Uni-Vers award giving ceremony was held in Montreal's Theatre Rialto on Wednesday evening, and Croatia was declared the best destination in competition with Portugal, Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
"The Destination of the Year Award is a confirmation of Croatia's excellent position on the Canadian market, from which we have recorded over 170,000 arrivals and 470,000 overnight stays so far this year. Compared to the same period last year, that is a 24 percent increase in arrivals and an 18 percent increase in overnight stays," HTZ director Kristjan Stanicic said.
He said that stronger positioning of Croatia on remote markets would be among the key strategic goals for next year.
The award was received by Ina Rodin, director of the HTZ's New York Office which covers Canada. She said she expected a further increase in trips from Canada to Croatia next year, at a growth rate of at least 20 percent.
"The estimate is based on the projected recovery of the Canadian economy, a strong contribution from direct flights from Toronto to Zagreb and Split, and growing interest in travel to Croatia," Rodin said.