UHPA calls for urgent solution to visa regime ahead of EU entry

The Association of Croatian Travel Agencies (UHPA) warned on Monday that the visa regime for certain countries could cause great problems to Croatia's tourist trade and economy as a whole, urging the relevant institutions to deal with the issue as soon as possible.

Because of the accession of Croatia to the European Union, which is scheduled for July 1, people from major tourism markets such as Russia, Ukraine or China will have to apply for a visa when travelling to Croatia, and this regime, which is unfavourable to domestic tourism, will become effective as early as April 1. This may lead to many foreign partners cancelling their arrangements, which will result in a decline in the number of tourists from those markets, UHPA said.

Unless a solution is found as soon as possible, the entire Croatian tourism sector and the state budget will suffer great damage, the association warned. (Hina)