Tourism touted as GDP generator in Croatia

ZAGREB - The Croatian government predicted on Thursday that the tourism industry, hard hit by the 1990s wars on its own and neighbouring territories, would represent about 29% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010. The government, which adopted a strategy for development of the tourism industry by 2010, hopes that tourism receipts would reach 7.5 billion dollars (6.6 billion euros).

Tourism receipts currently generate 22% of Croatia's GDP.

Croatia is one of the rare countries to have seen an increase in the number of tourists and overnight stays, during the 2003 summer tourism season, one the best since 1990 for the country despite a global economic downturn.

A total of 8.9 million tourists visited Croatia during the first nine months, while overnight stays reached 45 million. For 2004 the government plans the growth of the number of tourists between three and five percent. Most tourists to Croatia are from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Austria.

Croatia has seen a gradual recovery in its tourism industry since 1998.

AFP

Source:http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1477377-6078-0,00.html