tourism in croatia

Croatia looks set to finally eclipse the tourism figures achieved in its heyday before war broke out with Serbia, the Croatian Tourism Minister has told reporters. 

Capital attraction:The stunning Adriatic coast including southerly Dubrovnik is proving a big draw for European holidaymakers

Veljko Ostojic said the country had registered record figures for the first eight months of 2012 and is on target for its most successful year ever as a tourist destination. He said: 'Based on the results achieved so far and announcements (for the rest of the year) this is the best tourist season in Croatia's history.'

The period including the peak season months of July and August saw 9.82million holidaymakers descend on Croatia, staying mainly on the popular Adriatic coast and the country's islands. The figure is a 4.22 per cent hike on that recorded for the same period in 2011. 

The eastern European country is hugely popular with German tourists who make up around 20 per cent of the overall tourism figures. 

Visitor numbers from neighbouring countries including Slovenia, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic are also high. 

Mr Ostojic said the country was aiming to increase tourism - a lone high point for Croatia's struggling economy - by three to five per cent this year. 

'The goal is to achieve or surpass seven billion euros' in income from tourism, he said.

British travel operator Prestige Holidays would concur with the upturn in Croatia's tourism figures, having seen a 200 per cent rise in the number of bookings this year.
John Dixon, Managing Director of Prestige Holidays told MailOnline Travel: 'Croatia is very much in fashion and is being rediscovered. Travellers are recognising that the quality of hotels has gone up, the service and food has improved and there are no longer any language problems. Many travellers are returning for their second or third visit.' 

He added that Croatia retaining its own currency, the kuna, was also a bonus for British visitors: 'Croatia's appeal over more traditional summer sun destinations is that it's not in the euro so, while not cheap, offers excellent value. 

'The most popular part of the country is the Dubrovnik region but Istria and the Kvarner regions are far less crowded, equally beautiful and full of history. They are also more competitively priced and offer fantastic sea food.'

This winter sees increased flights between the UK to Croatia with BA recommencing flights to Zagreb from December. In May 2013, Jet2 will also add flights to Pula from Leeds-Bradford.

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