State Secretary for Tourism Talks to Austrian Journalists

The State Secretary for Tourism Zdenko Mičić welcomed today at the Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development twenty representatives of the Austrian media, specialized in EU topics. With a short presentation the State Secretary offered an insight into the current situation of Croatia’s tourism industry and after that he answered the journalists' questions.

He underlined Croatia's efforts to prolong the tourist season by opening new hotels, especially small family hotels and by building golf courses. Mičić also pointed out the importance of having a modern road (motorway) infrastructure, since 85% of all tourists arrive at their Croatian destinations by cars or by busses.

The problem of high prices, according to Mičić, was partly justified by an improved quality of this season's tourist offer adding that unjustified prices would probably be corrected by the beginning of the season 2007.

Talking about foreign investments, he stressed out the important role of Austrian investors in Croatian tourism, with a total investment of € 400 million. An outstanding project would be the building of a € 300 million tourist resort in Punta Skala, near Zadar, financed by the Austrian tourism group Falkensteiner – Michaeler.

Last but not least, Mičić also spoke about the development of the continental tourism in Croatia, mostly the development of wellness, hunting, adventure and rural tourism. Regarding the joining of the EU, the expectations for foreign investments are quiet high since there are still many opportunities left for cooperation. 

The Austrian journalists are staying in Croatia from 27 – 30 June, meeting with politicians, NGO and civil organization representatives, leading experts in the area of science, culture and social life as well as representatives of the Croatian media.

The goal of the visit, organized by the Croatian Embassy in Vienna and the mission of the European Commission in Austria, is to promote Croatian identity, culture and its readiness to join the EU. Another goal is to get acquainted with Croatia’s non governmental sector, civil society institutions as well as the current public opinion.