Croatia hopes to see rise in tourist trade in 2009

Croatia hopes to see the increase in the number of tourist arrivals and bed-nights by two and three per cent respectively and tourism revenue by three per cent in 2009, according to preliminary projections for the next tourist season presented at a session of the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) in Zagreb on Tuesday.
Tourism Minister Damir Bajs said that it would be important to follow market trends and be prepared for future developments. He agreed that the 2009 tourist season would not be easy.

Croatia hopes to see the increase in the number of tourist arrivals and bed-nights by two and three per cent respectively and tourism revenue by three per cent in 2009, according to preliminary projections for the next tourist season presented at a session of the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) in Zagreb on Tuesday.

HTZ officials said that the next season could be more complicated and uncertain due to developments on global markets, which was why Croatia would have to redouble efforts in its promotion abroad.

Tourism Minister Damir Bajs said that it would be important to follow market trends and be prepared for future developments. He agreed that the 2009 tourist season would not be easy.

Bajs, however, expressed satisfaction with the results of the 2008 tourist season, adding that this year's revenues from the tourist trade would likely be about seven billion euros given that in the first eight months of 2008 Croatia registered nine million tourist arrivals and about 50 million booked bed-nights. (Hina)