|
PRESS INFORMATION
Croatia on “Ferie 2003"
Croatia Tourism Winner 2002
Croatia
is one of the few European countries that recorded growth in tourism in
2002 and, based on international tourism statistics, along with Bulgaria
was considered to be the only tourism winner of last year. In the first
nine months of last year, 7.757 million tourists holidayed in Croatia. Of
this 6.6 million were overseas visitors, up 6% over 2001.
75. 409 of these came from Scandinavia, 25.334 from Denmark, 29 % more
than in 2001. (19.985).
The
total number of overnight stays was just over 43 million, 39 million of
which were by overseas visitors, up 3% over 2001.
Last
year, Croatia had 805,000 accommodation units available for guests, 11%
more than 2001, and only 6% less than in 1990. Of that figure, 104,000
beds were in hotels and apartments, 9% more than in 2001.
Tourism spending in Croatia in 2002 was estimated at some $7.4 billion.
This season, Croatia proved to be one of the most desired
destinations, recording significant growth.
Danish, that visit Croatia has increased with 29 per cent
in one year. The Croatian tourist office estimates that the number will be
doubled until year 2005. Today most of them travel to Croatia by bus or
car.
The amount of Danish tourists that travels to Croatia by
airplane may increase already this next year, due to the fact that the
travel agency Vings Resor Sverige AB plans to offer charter trips
to a number of destinations along the Adriatic Croatian coast from
Stockholm Gothenburg and Malmo in Sweden.
“Always"
Travel agency, starts with charter flights to Split ,
summer season 2003 from Stockholm,Gotenburgh and Malmo in Sweden.
These new operators supplement the programmes already offered by
successful specialist operators as Aras Rejser, Delfin Rejser, FBC, Riskov
Rejser, Öster Linder, Dan Adria, Sol og Strand...
Many of those who travel to Croatia are specially
interested in sailing, diving, sport-fishing, climbing, architecture,
culture and health trips. Dario Matosevic, the manager of the Croatian
tourist office in Scandinavia, estimates that the amount of Danishs
that chooses to spend their vacation in Croatia will continue to increase,
the more well known the destination becomes and the more beneficial trips
that will be offered.
–
I estimate that about 35.000 people from Denmark will
visit Croatia during the period January-November 2003. When more people
have discovered how beautiful Croatia is and what the country can offer,
the interest will increase additional. Our goal is to have 50.000 visitors
from Denmark in 2005, he says.
Croatian tourism has set some very high goals, and through
various projects for the development of and improvements to the quality of
infrastructure, based on realistic foundation, these goals will be
achieved. Croatia feels that 2002, has seen the successful realization of
the goals of the Croatian tourism policies set during the year: increasing
tourism turnover by 5% over 2001; the continued improvement of the
reputation and position of Croatian tourism on the international market;
increasing profitability of the sector and stimulating the overall
economic activity of the nation; continuing the process of evening out
tourism turnover among the regions; increasing the degree utilization of
accommodation and other capacities with the emphasis lying on extension of
the tourist season; increasing the quality and activating new
accommodation qualities, implementing the process of “smart”
privatization; affirming Croatian tourism clusters in promotional
appearances on foreign markets; diversifying Croatian tourism product in
terms of substance and space and developing selective forms of tourism.
Croatia
is following world trends in the shift from service tourism to experience
and adventure tourism, and adding to the current image of Croatia, based
solely on sun and sea, stressing cleanliness, non-pollution, hospitality,
safety, adventure, substance, entertainment and emotion.
Croatia has much variation to offer its foreign guests:
unlimited pleasure of swimming in a sea with almost 1,800 kilometers of
shoreline, picturesque cities filled with rich cultural heritage, national
and nature parks of exceptional beauty and places for activities of all
kinds – from horseback riding and bicycling, tennis and diving, to
mountaineering and canoeing, it’s all here. These advantages make this
Adriatic country more than a mere summer destination with sun and sand.
Croatia offers its visitors the greatest potential, throughout the entire
year, to suit everyone’s desires. Croatia also offers quality: in terms of
environmental protection, Croatia is well ahead of other European
destinations, a fact confirmed by studies
conducted at Yale and
Columbia Universities. For those who sail and participate
in other water sports, there is certainly no better choice than this
country with a thousand islands. Gourmands will delight in truffles,
lobster or oysters; adventure lovers will head down old mule paths or try
Robinson Crusoe tourism in the idyllic Kornati archipelago. And for those
who want to just lie on the beach, they can equally enjoy the hidden coves
as they can the luxury hotels or well developed auto camps.
For those guests in love with Croatia, 2002 offered
greater hotel capacities and an additional range of services. We stress
the significant individual investments in Croatian infrastructure, hotels
and in developing localities, all contributions to the success of the 2002
tourist season.
Investments in Croatian tourism were large, with hotels
investing over EUR 150 million in renovations to hotels. A pleasant
surprise was that many of the hotels still under state ownership were able
to invest significant resources into those facilities, exclusively with
the cooperation of foreign partners, showing that tour operators consider
Croatia to be a serious destination, one that can be counted on for the
long term. Support for this can be seen in the fact that demand for
Croatia is great, as is the confidence of our partners. These investments
have ensured higher quality, which we constantly refer to and which
continues to be our goal in the near future. Of course, this does not mean
that all has been resolved as many more investments are required; rather
that this is a positive step forward for the hotels themselves.
Read more about investments potential in Croatia on ….
www.hfp.hr
Experience the magic of the Mediterranean – get to know
Croatia!
Few people know that the most watched German film of all
time “Winnetou” was filmed in Croatia 40 years ago. It is difficult to
believe that the you too can experience the lively scenes from the canyons
where the Indians ride horses, in the excursion “Paths of the Winnetou”,
which will take you to Velebit Mountain, the rapids of the Krka and
Zrmanja Rivers, the cliffs of Paklenica, to experience untouched nature
far from civilization. Adventurers from throughout the world have
discovered this forgotten corner of Europe, and visit it at least one a
year for the races “Cro Challenge” and “Terra Incognita”, where they
compete in kayaking, rowing, mountain biking, climbing and hiking.
For an adventure to remember for years to come, visit the
Cetina canyon, with its virtually ideal conditions for all levels of free
climbing, rafting, kayaking, paragliding, canyoning, spelunking, horseback
riding and hiking. In the region between Omiš and Makarska, made for
adventure tourism, don’t miss out on the delicious domestic cuisine
prepared for you in the traditional way, full of vitamins and minerals to
recharge your batteries after a long and tiring day.
The Konavle Jeep Safari, a one day off-road adventure
through deep mud and the steep slopes of the Konavle hills, ending in a
luncheon at the 400 year old Sapro family mill in Vodovađa offers a unique
perspective of entertainment, as does the Neretva safari with the
autochthonous vessels of the Neretva River, the river canoe.
Understanding
that modern man cannot be without excitement even on vacation, the owners
of the Poreč Riviera have opened the first adrenalin park in Croatia,
stretching over 2,700 square meters. Here visitors can test their
abilities in climbing, overcoming barriers, maintaining their balance… on
13 machines as part of a four hour program. This park offers adventure for
both individual guests as well as for groups of up to 60 people, part of
the specially created program intended for building trust, team building.
After
some 40 years, long forgotten air transport has returned to Croatia. Air
taxis and panoramic flights in a hydroplane provide you with a special
view of the Adriatic.
The view of Croatia can always be new and the challenge
different, depending on the time of year and region you visit. Here you
can be entertained and enjoy your leisure time, and if what you’re after
is rest, then you can enjoy the solitude of one of Croatia’s 12
lighthouses, or visit a sparsely populated island, where you can find
peaceful accommodations in virtually Crusoe like settings. To wake up in a
stone house in a natural setting, and then to sail off in the company of
dolphins is a challenge not to be missed, at least once in your life. Go
fishing in an old sailboat, and feel the thrill of expectation of your
first catch of Adriatic fish, to later be transformed into a delicious
meal.
When
you come to Dalmatia, do not resent the leisurely nature of your Dalmatian
hosts, remember that you are on vacation, and the Dalmatians have lived in
harmony with natures over the ages, for them hurrying and stress do not
exist, they will know how to please you with good fish and good wine, a
sincere smile and a song. You will feel the romance at every step and at
every meeting.
They say that Biševo
Island has a special erotic energy, and that couples with relationship or
marital problems can easily resolve their crisis here, and therefore it is
no surprise that tourists adore this odd place not far from the island of
Vis.
They say that the oysters from Ston – the best natural
aphrodisiac in the world, have been cultured since antiquity, and their
“medicinal” nature was recognized by Czar Franjo Josip, who received the
Mali Ston oysters in wooden crates. Together with a good white wine, the
oysters quickly aroused passions and significantly increased interest for
the opposite sex. Such that couples who know the story of this aphrodisiac
precisely time themselves to get into the sheets 2 hours after eating the
oysters.
The
Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea for centuries has attracted those in
love with the natural beauty which abounds in this part of the
Mediterranean. There is a long list of royal figures, and famous people
from the world of film, music, sport, politics, art, culture and science
who have found their corner of peace and beauty in the Adriatic. It is
interesting to note that the famous, and less famous guests of the
Adriatic return from year to year. This year marked the 96th
year in a row that Croatia’s oldest and dearest guest, 101-year-old
Eudochija Lazarova from Milan, visited Opatija. This year, for the second
year in a row, the Belgian King and Queen sailed through the Adriatic Sea,
as did Princess Caroline of Monaco and her family. Other distinguished
guests visiting this year included: Slovakia’s President Rudolf Schuster,
Oscar winner Sean Connery, Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow, accompanied by
famous fashion designer Valentino, Sif Gadafi, son of the Libyan
President, and many others.
After their first contact with the beauty of Croatia, many
Europeans and Americans have inquired about purchasing islands or property
in Dalmatia, Istria, Kvarner… German citizens are the most numerous
foreign property owners in Croatia, with 2,399, followed by Americans and
Austrians. Some famous homeowners in Croatia include: William and Lynn
Montgomery, Francesca von Hapsburg, Wolfgang Petritsch and other wealthy
and less famous foreigners, in love with Croatia’s beauty. Yoko Ono, John
Lennon’s widow has expressed her interest in buying a home, while Sharon
Stone, Robert De Niro and Clint Eastwood have all inquired about
purchasing islands.
So much variety and magical beauty is located in this
relatively small area, in Mediterranean Croatia, where only your first
visit can be by chance, as every visit afterwards will be carefully
planned in order to see and experience as much as possible. Don’t
hesitate! Come and see for yourself!
Don’t hesitate! Come and see for yourself!
For more information
visit
www.visitcroatia.nu or contact:
Dario Matosevic,
manager Croatian Tourist office in Scandinavia,
Phone: + 46 8 534
820 80, Fax. + 46 8 202460 or e-mail:
dario.matosevic@visitcroatia.nu.
The address to the
fair is: Center Boulevard 5, Copenhagen, Phone: 32 52 88 11, Fax: 32 51 96
36, homepage:
www.ferie03.dk, e-mail:
karen.frost@bellacenter.dk (press manager)
|