The Croatian tourism sector is optimistic regarding the main season with exceptionally good bookings and an 11% increase in the value of fiscalised invoices in the first four months of this year adds to the optimism, Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac said on Friday after meeting with the sector's representatives.
"Tourism results so far this year indicate that the sector has prepared well for the season and I am very pleased that the new label of sustainability of Croatia's tourism - "Croatia, naturally yours," has been recognised because tourism development is heading toward sustainability," said Brnjac.
She said that the good seasonal results are supported by physical numbers (arrivals, bed nights), as well as financial turnover. She said that in the first four months of this year, the value of fiscalised invoices in tourism increased by 11% from the same period in the record-breaking 2019 to HRK 5 billion and 457 million.
HTZ campaign in 14 markets
The director of the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) Kristjan Staničić said he believes this season will be a good one considering announcements from foreign markets for May, June and further on.
"We are currently conducting the main campaign on 14 markets and the reactions are truly positive and we are working with foreign media and travel agencies. Currently, there are about 200 of them on study tours," said Staničić, adding that the aim is to achieve 90% of the results of the pre-pandemic year 2019.
Hotels still have a shortage of 10,000 workers for the 'peak' season
The Croatian Tourism Association (HUT), which includes the biggest hotel companies in the country, also expressed optimism for the peak season, as well as for the shoulder seasons given that booking figures are nearing 2019 levels. If no major problems emerged, the financial results could be even better, HUT Director Veljko Ostojić said, adding that the problem of the shortage of workers was still current.
He explained that based on estimates there is a shortage of about 10,000 workers in tourism but he believes that the problem will be resolved successfully.
Nautical tourism and ACI marinas expect a good year
The nautical sector and all 20 of ACI marinas on the Adriatic coast expect a good season, with ACI CEO Kristijan Pavić saying that figures relating to transit vessels are already now better than those of 2018.
"We still haven't reached the record 2019, but if announcements are fulfilled and no extraordinary situations occur, I think at the end of the episode we will have another successful tourism year and perhaps even reach 2019," said Pavić.
(Hina)
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