Croatia sends invite to Serb tourists

Zagreb, April, 06. 2010 (Source : B92) - Croatia is strengthening its campaign in the region in an effort to get more tourists from Serbia to vacation on the Croatian seaside. The Croatian Tourism Ministry said that last year’s campaign contributed to an increase in the number of tourists from Serbia, so the ministry wants to do the same thing this year, preparing new television commercials that would soon be presented to the public. The ministry stated that the number of guests from Serbia is steadily increasing every year and that last year’s campaign, with the slogan “So beautiful, so close,” increased the number of tourists from Serbia. According to the ministry’s data, 89,000 tourists from Serbia vacationed in Croatia in 2009, which is 1.3 percent more than in the prior year. Serbian tourists spent 441,000 nights in Croatia in 2009, which was an increase of 14.5 percent compared to 2008. Because of the popularity of the Istra region, namely Rovinj and Poreč, there will be direct flights offered from Belgrade to Pula. Pula Airport Director Bruno Rogović confirmed that the route would be introduced in May, adding that it would be one of the most profitable flights this year. According to statistics, JAT Airways had 2,650 passengers on flights in between Belgrade and Pula in 2008, when the route was introduced, and 9,000 last year.