5% Tourism Growth: Italians And Russians Replaced By Americans And Scandinavians

Croatia’s Minister of Tourism Darko Lorencin has announced in Split today that Croatia in the first half of 2013 has seen 5% more tourists than in the same period last year, despite noticeably fewer tourists from Italy and Russia.

Behind Malta, Croatia has recorded the highest growth of tourists in the Mediterranean, as most other nations experience considerable declines. Lorencin says that the good results have been achieved despite the economic crisis in Europe and the fact that new visa requirements for Russian tourists were introduced as part of Croatia’s membership in the EU. The Tourism Minister says that the visa situated with Russia is being improved, with just 5-day maximum waiting period. Last week alone more than 30,000 visas were issued.

The Dalmatian region of Croatia experienced the largest growth in the first half of 2013 together with Zagreb, whilst Istria and the Kvarner region stagnated. Lorencin said that he is not worried about less Italian or Russian tourists as the Americans and Scandinavians will take their place. There has also been growth with tourists from Hong Kong, China and Brazil, whilst the Brits remain solid visitors, being the largest spending group.