BEST PREPARED TOWNS FOR 1998 TOURIST SEASON ANNOUNCED

( Editorial: --> 4708 ) ZAGREB, June 30 (Hina) - The northern Adriatic town of Porec, Bol on the island of Brac and Vodice (central Adriatic) have been announced the best prepared towns for this year's tourist season in Croatia. Of Croatia's continental tourist destinations, the label "Best Prepared" was given to Bizovac spa (east Croatia), Samobor (near Zagreb) and the Plitvice Lakes National Park (central Croatia, mountainous region). The winners of the "Tourist Star" campaign were announced at Tuesday's press conference in Zagreb by the action's organisers - the Croatian National Tourism Board, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Croatian news agency Hina. The winners of the first three places in both categories will receive their awards in Bizovac spa on July 3. The "Tourist Star" campaign included 27 tourist towns in inland Croatia and 55 towns in the coastal region. The campaign was run between May 18 and June 17. The towns were judged by various criteria including traffic signalling system, public areas and places, beaches, bus and train stations, gastronomic and hotel offerings, shopping opportunities and unique ambience. (hina) jn rml /mbr 301616 MET jun 98