Croatia reports 3.2% increase in tourism revenues

Croatia's revenues from tourism in 2012 amounted to 6.83 billion euros, or 3.2% more than in 2011, the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement on Friday, citing figures from the Croatian National Bank (HNB).

After a rise in tourism revenues in the first nine months of 2012, the positive trend continued in the final quarter of the year when tourism generated 557 million euros in revenues, an increase of 2.3% over the corresponding period in 2011.

Tourism revenues accounted for 15.4% of GDP last year, a slight increase in relation to the previous year.

The fact that tourism revenues continued the positive trend despite the unfavourable economic situation in Europe shows that Croatia has become a recognised tourist destination worldwide.

The year 2013 will be very challenging, particularly because of the excellent results last year, but I expect that we will repeat the success from 2012 and that tourism revenues will continue to rise, Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin was quoted as saying.

According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, over 11.8 million tourists visited Croatia last year, generating 62.7 million bed nights, which was an increase of 3.3% in tourist arrivals and of 4% in bed nights. (Hina)