Gov't holds session on tourism

Members of the Croatian government on Thursday met in the northern Adriatic resort of Umag for a session dedicated to tourism, the current tourist season and preparations for the 2012 tourist season.

The government was also expected to adopt a draft decision on giving its final consent for a draft agreement on the implementation of the development project "Brijuni Rivijera" in the locations Pineta, Hidrobaza and the island Sv. Katarina-Monumenti. The government was expected to discuss a proposal to approve a decision by the Steering Board of the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency on co-financing construction work on the country centre for waste management Mariscina and Kastijun. Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor told government members that today an agreement would be signed on the co-financing of construction work on the Pula General Hospital.

Attending the government session were also Croatian Tourism Board director Niko Bulic, Croatian Employers' Association head Kristijan Sustar, Istria County head Ivan Jakovcic, and Umag Mayor Vili Bassanese. Speaking of the current tourist season, Kosor said that the tourist season should be extended considering the fact that "Croatia is a safe and stable country, which for many people is crucial when choosing a holiday destination."

"The fact that we have completed membership negotiations with the EU has definitely encouraged some of the guests to spend their holidays in Croatia," she said.

Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Bozidar Kalmeta said that in the first six months of this year Zagreb Airport saw a 17% increase in the number of passengers as against the first six months of last year. Split Airport reported an increase of 8.8% in the number of passengers and Dubrovnik Airport a 7.1% increase. Minister of the Interior Tomislav Karamarko said security was at a high level and mentioned the project "Safe Tourist Season" as part of which foreign police officers carry out police duties along the Croatian Adriatic coast. Forty-nine foreign police officers have been taking part in the project this season. (Hina)