Country tourist study Croatia:" The Mediterranean as it once was"

Résumé du document

Croatia received 10,000,000 tourists in 2006, and is ranked 18th among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is significant to know that domestic tourism represents only 15% of this figure. Croatian people are still too poor to enjoy holidays in their home country and still have to go abroad to visit cheaper destinations such as Romania or Bulgaria. Croatia's tourism sector contributed to 20% of GDP in 2005 and growth in tourism receipts has outpaced growth of GDP in 8 of the past 12 years. Tourism in Croatia represents 74% of the services sector and employs more than 300,000 people (2005), representing around 20% of the active population. Croatia has a rich architectural heritage. A lot of attractions are ranked by the UNESCO, such as the old city of the XIV century of Dubrovnik, the St Jacques cathedral at Sibenik, a mixture of baroque style and renaissance art. There are also the palace of the popes at Porec and the ruins of the Diocletian palace in Split. The capital Zagreb also has numerous medieval and baroque castles and churches. Croatia also has a fabulous natural heritage. 1,185 islands and only 66 of them are inhabited. A transparent sea, creeks, beaches of sand or rocks, and 8 national parks.

Extraits

[...] A change in the marketing and promotion must have to be done. Cruise tourism among the 1185 islands of the country is clearly possible. More over in some islands such as Hvar, harbors can welcome cruise ships. No need them to build more hotels. Besides, cruise tourism is really fashionable nowadays and it will permit to give a new positioning and a new image to Croatia. For Hvar Island CRUISE TOURISM will be an opportunity faced with its main weakness: the accessibility. [...]

[...] Then, the Island was visited by many adventurers, naturalists, ethnologists and archaeologists that came to study plants, minerals and ancient monuments. Organized tourism began in 1868 with the establishment of The Hygienic Society of Hvar (first tourism association in Europe) headed by Bishop Juraj Duboković. The first hotel with 13 single rooms and a restaurant was opened in Samohod-Dubokovićs' house. The first arrival of foreign guests was considered as being the beginning of modern and organized tourism on the Island. Tourism and wine-growing are the main activities of the island's economy. [...]

[...] Nevertheless, the littoral is not saturated like it is in other Mediterranean countries. Actually of the national territory is protected (national parks etc The Croatian area that is most developed is the island of Istria (60,000 beds). As a total Croatia counts with 800,000 beds but only 20% on hotels. In overnights of foreign tourists were recorded in the country and 59 millions in 1987. The number of overnights reached its highest point in 1986-1987 with 68 millions. Most of the tourists were Germans British, Austrian and Italian were also presents with 30% to 35% each. [...]

[...] Individuals and families for sunny holidays / Groups for pilgrimages/ Groups for seminars and business events/ Individuals for adventure, cultural and rural tourism / Retired people for Spa and Wellness tourism - New demand: MASS TOURISM DESTINATION SINCE 2004 growth due to the arrival of budget airlines in the country - Regional allocation of tourists: ISTRIE: PRIMORJE-GORSKI: SPLIT-DALMATIE: ZADAR: DUBROVNIK-NERETVA: ZAGREB: - Others: 11% TOURISM AWARDS -Croatia has been announced as Lonely Planet Staffers' destination for 2005. Croatia was followed by China, Argentina, USA, Italy and Costa Rica. - Michelin Europe Tourist and Motoring Atlas put Croatia on the front page of its 2005 edition. - On July 17th 2005, York Times” published an article Croatia, A New Riviera Beckons”. [...]

[...] What can differentiate Croatia from its competitors is her recent opening to mass tourism compared with old destinations such as Spain or Italy. Moreover Spain, Italy, Greece and Malta are not anymore cheap destinations and Croatia can take advantage of it. Trendy, newish and affordable, Croatia seems to be the perfect Mediterranean destination but for how long? CURRENT INVESTMENTS - Takeover in 2005 by the French company Orco Property Group of the famous tourist resort Suncani Hvar The investment represented 27 M by the end of 2006. [...]