Washington, December 5 - Croatian Tourism minister Pave Zupan Ruskovic spoke to over 30 industry representatives at the Croatian Embassy in Washington today. Ms. Ruskovic’s presentation focused on Croatia’s largely successful 2003 tourist season, which saw over 8.6 million visitors. Croatia’s population is 4.4 million.
In particular, Ms. Ruskovic noted a rising interest among American tourists. In 2003, 61,000 U.S. Citizens traveled to Croatia. This reflects an increased confidence in the safety, value, and overall pleasure of traveling in Croatia.
Travelers are increasingly viewing Croatia as an attractive European destination, due to its 1104-mile Mediterranean coastline, more than 1200 islands, and rich cultural heritage.
The 2003 tourist season brought US$ 7.9 billion to Croatia, reflecting the seven percent increase in visits from 2002. Visits have also surpassed the pre-war number of 8.5 million in 1990. Ms. Ruskovic related projections that estimate total Croatian tourism revenue at US$ 20.2 billion in 2013.
New investments in Croatian tourism are reflected in the significantly improved quality of accommodations. Over 500 million Euros have been invested in the industry within the last two years. New hotel brands are appearing up and down the Dalmatian coast every year. These developments, coupled with proactive measures to maintain the internationally recognized cleanliness of Croatia’s sea, ensure an enduring tourist presence for years to come.