Tourism Minister: Croatia Can Double Tourism Income By 2020

Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin believes Croatia can double its income generated from tourism by 2020, and that it plans to increase its hotel capacity by 7%. Lorencin was also optimistic that this season will be a good one, despite conflicting reports on tourist arrival numbers.

Lorencin, who was speaking to the media whilst visiting National Park Paklenica in northern Dalmatia, said Croatia was in a better position than last year when comparing the tourist seasons.

“We are in a better position. We have some statistics from Dubrovnik and Zadar counties. Dubrovnik had experienced growth in the number of overnight stays by 6%, and 7% in the number of arrivals. Zadar had 2% growth with the number of overnight stays. We are expecting positive results compared to 2012 when the figures for the first 7 months of the year come in. What is important is that income from tourism has increased by 6.6% in the first six months, and not because of new fiscalisation laws,” said Lorencin to daily Jutarnji list, before adding.

“Until 2020 we plan to increase capacity of hotel accommodation by 7%, and at the same time double income from tourism. Physical numbers we have to replace with financials which will be the result of new capacity and investment in tourism. This year 2.6 billion kuna was invested in tourism,” said Lorencin. The Tourism Minister acknowledged that Croatia was a little more expensive as a destination than Spain.