Minister expects 30% of last year's tourism result

Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli stated on Tuesday that he expected Croatia to realise 30% of last years' tourism result in the upcoming tourist season, because Croatia had proven itself in the fight against the coronavirus and that fact was recognised on the market.

"I am not being an optimist, I am realistic," Cappelli said in Opatija, where he signed a grant agreement for launching a Regional Competence Centre at the Opatija Hospitality High School.

The minister said that the early activity in Croatia's tourism, concurrent with the relaxation of measures based on expert recommendations, had resulted in a high level of interest for coming to Croatia.

"Where else do people line up to enter a country, in three or four lanes," Cappelli asked.

He emphasised that some tourism accommodation establishments even at this moment were obliged to reject bookings in August as they had already filled their capacities.

We need patience waiting for countries from where visitors come to open their borders. I understand my ministerial counterparts who are worried on the one hand, and are protecting their economy on the other hand, Cappelli said. However, he emphasised that after June 15 practically all borders within the EU would be open, and that Croatia was considering bilaterally opening borders to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel.

The minister announced that the government would discuss the Cro Card at its Wednesday session, and that the card would be approved for use. Cappelli said that it would be in circulation as of July 1.

When asked to evaluate his work as a minister, Cappelli noted that during his time in office, investments in Croatia's tourism had increased by 55%, 20,000 new workers had been employed in the hospitality and tourism industries, 60 million tourists were brought to Croatia in three seasons, and three best season to date were realised.

"After such results I can peacefully retire from tourism," the minister said.

As for the question if he would still want to be the tourism minister, Cappelli said that it was the prime minister's decision, and that his knowledge and experience were at the disposal of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).

(Hina/FaH)

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