Croatia expects similar trends in arrivals of German guests this year as in 2018

Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli and the director of the Croatian Tourism Board (HTZ) Kristjan Stanicic have said before departing to Berlin for the ITB travel trade show that they expect a similar number of tourists from Germany this year, that is about three million, as in 2018. The ITB Berlin, which takes place in the German capital from 6 to 10 March, brings together over 10,000 exhibitors from 190 countries, including Croatia.

The HTZ stand comprises 23 exhibitors -- companies and local HTZ offices -- and Stanicic has said that the tourist statistical data in the first two months give rise to optimism.

Thus, in January and February, the e-visitor system registered 485,000 tourist arrivals in Croatia, which was 9% more compared to the corresponding period in 2018. The overnight stays rose 4% to 1.3 million.

Although at the global level a rise in the tourist industry is expected, some of the regions have more cautious forecasts ahead of the ITB Berlin show than in the past few years.

Such caution has been prompted by deceleration in bookings for the summer season, notably in Mediterranean destinations.

For instance, Spain and Portugal have experienced a decline in bookings, whereas in Croatia a slowed down rate of bookings has been noticed.

In this context, Minister Cappelli has called for patience.

"I know that there is some nervousness due to deceleration in bookings on foreign markets. However, we should be patient and be recogniseable on markets by quality without lowering prices," he said.

Deceleration in bookings is also due tot the fact that there are now more capacities on the market than two or three years ago when migrants and political crises were in Turkey, Greece, Egypt and other north African countries, which are now more stable and tourists have now more options to choose, the minister says.

He also believes that last-minute booking will be more pronounced this year. (Hina) 

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