Days of Croatian Tourism opens on Hvar island

Hvar (Photo credit: Stari Grad Tourist Board)

ZAGREB, Oct 24 (Hina) – Croatian Tourism Days, the biggest traditional gathering of tourism employees, began in Hvar on the island of Hvar on Wednesday on the occasion of the town’s 150th anniversary of organised tourism and the establishment of the Hygienic Society in 1868 as a precursor of tourist boards.

“This is the moment we wish to thank all tourism employees because they are the key to the success of Croatia’s tourism. Without their self-sacrificing work, we wouldn’t have such successes, we wouldn’t be the most important industry in Croatia, so it is our duty to reward them for innovation, tourism products and best destinations,” Tourism Ministry state secretary Frano Matusic said opening the event.

Speaking to reporters, he underlined the importance of prolonging the tourism season, saying some resorts still “shut down already in September.”

(Photo: HINA/ Milan ŠABIĆ)

The two-day event brought together more than 1,500 tourism employees.

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce vice president for agriculture and tourism, Dragan Kovacevic, said tourism generated almost 20% of GDP and that he expected it to bring EUR 12 billion in revenues this year.

Croatian Tourism Days will end with a government session on Friday dedicated to tourism and focusing on islands.