CZECH FIRMS INTERESTED IN PRIVATISATION OF CROATIAN TOURISM

( Editorial: --> 1767 ) ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) - Croatian Tourism Minister Sergej Morsan and the Czech Republic's Ambassador to Croatia, Jiri Kudela, on Monday held talks on promoting tourism cooperation between the two countries. The Czech Republic represents one of the most important source markets for Croatia, with Czech tourists in 1997 representing 10 per cent in the number of foreign guest arrivals and 17 per cent in the total number of overnight stays. In 1996 Czechs alone recorded more overnight stays than was achieved during the record 1985 tourism season by guests of the former Czechoslovakia, which bears witness to the growth in popularity of Croatian summer resorts, it was said at the talks requested by the Czech side. The Croatian side emphasised that for Croatia the Czech tourist was a desirable and dear guest, and in no way a second-class tourist. Ambassador Kudel informed Minister Morsan that his country was interested in Czech firms actively taking part in the process of privatisation of the Croatian tourism sector. The Croatian side received the offer with satisfaction, giving Kudel a catalogue of tourist firms being offered for privatisation. (Hina) mm mb /rm 231920 MET mar 98