25% More Brits in Croatia in 2013

Croatia’s Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin and the director of the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) Meri Matesic have announced at the World Travel Market in London yesterday that Croatia could see a 15% rise in the number of British tourists to its shores next year.

Around 50 foreign, mostly British, journalists had gathered in London to hear Lorencin and Matesic talk about Croatia’s plans and expectations from the UK. Lorencin explained that the British market is a lucrative one to Croatia, with the Brits the nations biggest spending tourists.  Brits on average spend around 120 euro per day, just ahead of the Russians who splash out between 110 – 120 euro a day whilst in Croatia.

The Croatian Ministry of Tourism said that around 26% more Britons have travelled to Croatia in the first nine months of 2013 compared to 2012, with 500,000 tourists a year hopefully being reached by 2015.

“Unlike other tourist destinations, Croatia is yet to be discovered better on the British market and its safety, beauty and friendliness on that market is a great advantage as its geographical variety which is insufficiently known. Now it is important to promote targeted tourism products such as music festivals and cultural programmes which are an attraction for British tourists”, said HTZ director Meri Matesic, adding that around 55% of Brits come to Croatia individually, with the remaining coming as part of organised tours.