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PRESS INFORMATION 
05.01.2003.

Finnish tourists  in Croatia increased  83 per cent

During January-November 2002, 7,7 million tourists visited Croatia. 6.103 came from Finland. The Croatian Tourist Office in the Nordic Region are certain that the amount of Finnish tourists will increase fast. Much due to the fact that Aurinkomatkat during year 2002 started  with charter trips to Dubrovnik– the most famous of Croatian coastal towns.

 Many of those who travel to Dubrovnik and Croatia are specially interested in architecture, culture, sailing, diving, sport-fishing, climbing and health trips. 
– Regardless if you´re interested in sunbathing, scuba diving, art and theatre, or good food and wine with traditions, Dubrovnik and Croatia has a lot to offer, says Dario Matosevic, the manager of the Croatian tourist office in the Nordic countries. I estimate that amount of Finnish people 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. 
From June  to October  Aurinkomatkat   will offer charter trips to Dubrovnik and Korcula.
Töölö Travel offers travel to Zagreb and Istria.  

Dubrovnik, situated at the far south of the Croatian coastline, was founded duning the 7th century. The city is famous for its stone walls dating from the Middle Ages and for its rich cultural life. Dubrovnik is listed in UNESCO´s register of world heritage, and rival of Venice for the title of the most beautiful Mediterranean town. 
 Stradun, Dubrovnik´s main street, with its stairs, market places, and buildings, illustrates both the rich history and the contemporary spirit of a city that was once the only city-state bordering then Adriatic Sea, except for Venice.
The city-state of Dubrovnik had its own currency, elite academic, institutions, schools and universities, the first hospital and pharmacy in Europé, a well-developed army and navy, rich culture and literature. 

Each year, Dubrovnik hosts the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which over the years has attracted millions of participants and guests from around the globe.

For photographs or more information about Dubrovnik, Korcula  and Croatia, you can visit the tourist offices booth number: 6k39, home page www.visitcroatia.nu or contact us by e-mail, croinfo@telia.com. 

For more information visit www.visitcroatia.nu or contact:Dario Matosevic, manager, Croatian tourist Office in Scandinavia, Phone: + 46 8 53 48 20 80, E-mail: dario.matosevic@visitcroatia.nu or croinfo@telia.com
The address to the fair is: Messuaukio 1, Helsinki, Phone: +358 9 150 91, Fax: + 358 9 142 358, homepage: www.finnexpo.fi

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