Tourism minister: 5% more tourists visit Croatia in H1

The number of tourist arrivals in Croatia was 5% higher in the first six months of the year and the number of bednights increased by 4.5% year-on-year, Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin told a press conference in Split on Monday. He was satisfied with the results adding the that low season had proven to be quite challenging due to the economic situation in the eurozone and unfavourable weather conditions. This growth in the first six months indicates that Croatia's tourism is competitive, he said. The minister said that the tourism season promises to be excellent and that he was optimistic of the end results.

The number of tourist arrivals in Croatia was 5% higher in the first six months of the year and the number of bednights increased by 4.5% year-on-year, Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin told a press conference in Split on Monday.

He was satisfied with the results adding the that low season had proven to be quite challenging due to the economic situation in the eurozone and unfavourable weather conditions.

This growth in the first six months indicates that Croatia's tourism is competitive, he said. The minister said that the tourism season promises to be excellent and that he was optimistic of the end results.

There was 12% fewer Russian tourists in the first six months y-on-y, Lorencin confirmed, adding that his ministry was working together with the Foreign Affairs Ministry to overcome the problems in issuing visas to Russian tourists and that over 30,000 visas had been issued last week. He announced that visas could now be applied for on-line which should speed up the process.

Lorencin pointed out that this year the number of tourists from Great Britain had increased by 26% and significantly more tourists from Scandinavian countries and France have been recorded too.

We have also seen an increased number in tourists from distant markets, for example several thousand visitors from Brazil, he said. (Hina)

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