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Small and family-run hotels have seen an increase in their revenues of 10-15% this year, however, in order to keep pace with the competition, these business establishments must further improve their amenities and services, which is why they are interested in the latest grant scheme worth HRK 304 million for SMEs in tourism, according to Sime Klaric, the chairman of the national association of small and family-run hotels in Croatia.

Investments in the tourist industry this year have reached nearly 500 million euros and next year they are expected to increase to 676 million euros based on plans by private and public tourist companies and local authorities, Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin said on Monday. "We arrived at this figure following a recent survey of 61 tourist companies and counties. Of the total amount of 676 million euros, about 376 million would be invested by the private sector, which has seen a higher increase in investments than the public sector this year," Lorencin told a press conference.

The Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel and the Hotel Mlini were opened at a ceremony in Zupa Dubrovacka, southeast of Dubrovnik, on Friday evening. The investment totals EUR 80 million and is the most valuable project in Croatia in 2014 and 2105, HUP-Zagreb company CEO Andjelko Leko said. Attending the opening ceremony were also Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, Finance Minister Boris Lalovac, Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin and Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Branko Grcic.

Tourists from more than 75 countries visited Croatia in the first eight months of 2015, the largest numbers being recorded from Germany and Slovenia, while decreases in tourist arrivals were recorded from nine countries compared to 2014, according to figures from the National Tourist Board (HTZ). The list of countries from which tourists came was traditionally topped by Germany, from which 1.7 million tourists came, or 6% more than in the same period of 2014. They generated 13.1 million bed-nights, an increase of 6.6%. Germans were followed by Slovenians with 1.1 million arrivals and 7.3 million bed-nights, up 6.3% and 4.3% respectively.