Croatia’s popularity in America confirmed at New York Travel & Adventure Show

(Photo credit: HTZ)

by Srecko Mavrek

The Croatian exhibition space was one of the most visited at the New York Travel & Adventure Show, the largest American travel fair, which was held in New York on January 27 and 28.

Organizers of the Croatian pavilion at the fair were the Croatian Tourist Board (CTB) and the CTB New York Representative Office, which included 11 Croatian destinations and numerous agencies and hotel companies.

“Our country is known on the American market for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, all of which are recognized by numerous agents, as well as the audience itself, so we can conclude that Croatia is among the favorite European destinations of Americans”, pointed out Leila Kresic Juric, director of the CTB Representative Office in New York. She also pointed out that this year the office in New York is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

(Photo credit: HTZ)

With over 1,500 accredited agents, 400 media representatives, and 30 percent more tickets sold than last year, this is indeed an excellent place to promote Croatian tourism. During the two days of the fair, the Croatian Tourist Board provided a pavilion for the second year in a row where private sector companies and regions presented and met with American travel agents.

(Photo credit: PC Public Relations)

“I would like to remind you that we generate the most tourist traffic from the American market, and we are very proud of the results we have achieved to date.” Last year, we exceeded 700,000 arrivals of Americans, who stayed overnight over 2 million times, and we are expecting a continuation of the positive trend and an increase in traffic this year,” said Kristjan Stanicic, director of the Croatian Tourist Board.

(Photo credit: Wagen Hofferi)

This year, HTZ received a special award for its best and most creative approach to presenting to travel agents, making Croatia’s participation at the fair even more successful. Director Leila Kresic Juric received a special award from John V. Golicz, director of the New York Travel & Adventure Show, in the presence of Ambassador Pjer Simunovic, the Croatian ambassador to the USA.

(Photo credit: NAMI Travel)

(Photo credit: NAMI Travel)

Over 200 agents attended the additional tasting of Croatian wines this year, and Croatian co-exhibitors provided special prizes as well.

(Photo credit: PC Public Relations)

At the fair, tourist boards of Dubrovnik-Neretva, Split-Dalmatia, Sibenik-Knin, Zadar, Lika-Senj, and Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties were represented, as well as tourist boards of Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik and Zagreb. Also performing together were the tourism boards of the island of Hvar. The Plitvice Lakes National Park and the Barac Caves were also presented in the section dedicated to outdoor activities.