Tourism in Croatia: Booming Split Airport leads way in Dalmatia

Here are a couple of statistic about Croatian tourism. "With the tourist season on the Dalmatian coast in full swing, some very encouraging airport arrival statistics have been released. As millions of tourists bask in the pristine waters of the Adriatic Sea and on the beaches of the Dalmatian coast, there was more confirmation on the rising popularity of the city of Split on August 13, 2013, with the release of the latest airport arrival statistics, according to respected regional air blog Ex Yu Aviation. According to the blog, Split not only handled more passengers in a 24-hour period than any other airport in the region, but has already passed one million passengers for the year: "Split Airport has continued to post impressive numbers. The coastal airport has already handled more passengers within 24 hours than any other airport in the former Yugoslavia. In July alone, it saw an impressive 335.923 passengers use its services, up a significant 14.6% compared to last year. In the first seven months of 2013, a total of 853.714 passengers have been handled, up 11.7%. Yesterday, Split welcomed its millionth passenger for the year, nearly two weeks ahead of 2012. The millionth passenger was travelling on a Croatia Airlines flight to Vienna."

The increased numbers would seem to justify the decision to expand Split Airport in 2014, as reported recently by the same source. The strong growth was also reflected in the number of tourists staying in the city in July, according to Croatia Week: In July there were 66,957 registered tourists in Split, up 20 percent from the same period last year, the largest growth for any region in the country, says the tourist board. On top of the registered visitors, there are also thousands of tourists passing through the popular port city daily or on a day trip. “Tourism in Split has not happened just by chance. Split’s tourism development strategy for the period from 2005 to 2015 was created, after a contest, by the company URBOS. Today we are bearing the fruits of this plan and the long-term branding of the city. Do not forget that last year Split was declared the champion of tourism in Croatia,” said Split Tourist Board director Vedran Matošić.

Split Airport was not alone in posting such positive numbers, and neighbouring Zadar Airport — which lies north of Split and is a low-cost gateway for many to the Dalmatian capital — was also up 22 percent on the previous July, boosted mainly by the opening of the 54th Ryanair base in Zadar. The other Dalmatian coastal airport, Dubrovnik, is also having an excellent season, although numbers were slightly down on last year — 0.8 percent — a fact which is being attributed to the reduced tourism from Russia and Turkey due to the imposition of visa requirements post EU entry."


Read more: digitaljournal.com

Oznake: Split, zadar

Strong Numbers for Dubrovnik

This year, Dubrovnik achieved two million nights, twelve days earlier than in the 2012. These accomplishments are another proof of stability of Dubrovnik as an attractive tourist destination.

Excellent results of tourist traffic in all forms of accommodation were the subject of press conference. Director of Dubrovnik Tourist Board Romana Vlašić has reported about the results of tourist traffic from the beginning of the year and pointed out that from January to August 24, 2013 Dubrovnik recorded 531,600 tourist arrivals and 2,003,197 overnight stays, which is an increase of 12 percent in arrivals and 10 percent in overnight stays. The tourists are coming from United Kingdom with 13.5 percent of the total number of arrivals and 18.7 percent of overnight stays, followed by guests from France, Germany, the U.S., Croatia, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Spain, Italy and others.

Božo Burić, associate for private accommodation in Dubrovnik Tourist Board, through the presentation presented the trends of tourist visits to Dubrovnik, from which is clear that the structure of the guest is very stable, and the largest group visitors are in category of 31 – 40 years. Increasing number of tourist are evident this year especially with the Scandinavian market boosted by the introduction of new direct flight connections with these emission markets. An increase of 39 percent in arrivals and 35 percent in overnight stays records the U.S. market, more than 34.000 tourists. The increase in realization is evident in economically fast growing market of so-called BRIC, especially from Brazil and India, which recorded a double growth performance. Domestic Croatian guests are high positioned, in fifth place of their nationalities charts and they achieved an increase of 21 percent in arrivals and 13 percent in overnight stays. This is another confirmation that Dubrovnik is popular among domestic tourists.

Month of August, which represents a peak of tourist season, is great because until August 24 was recorded 119.772 arrivals or 15 percent more, and 502.632 overnight stays which is 10 percent more than in August in 2012. Most nights in August were recorded in hotels – 1.264.515, the same as in 2012. In private accommodation were 35 percent more overnight stays or 427.125 achieved during August.

Zrinka Marinović from Adriatic Luxury Hotels Group in her speech pointed out the amount of investment for the hotel during the upcoming winter and the renewal of Hotel Kompas and units of Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, a total of about 17 million Euros and will in the season 2014 enter with a new quality. She emphasized the celebration of the 100th event anniversary of the Hotel Ecxelsior and a concert of world star Brian Ferry at Stradun on September 30.

Nike Labaš from Valamar Dubrovnik Babin kuk Hotel praised the great achievements of this group in the 2013. In September and October in Dubrovnik records traditionally excellent tourist months, marked by meetings and congresses, among which they can point out the UEDA congress in September, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly session in October, and the annual convention the UK’s largest association of travel agencies ABTA in October.

Happy video comes to Dubrovnik, Croatia

The HAPPY video has arrived in Dubrovnik in style. Pharrell Williams with his positive song and good vibrations has taken much of the world by storm and now Dubrovnik has its own HAPPY video.
These good vibrations hit Dubrovnik this Sunday when a Pharrell Williams inspired video was filmed in the Old City. Citizens of the city and guests from all over the world were more than happy to get involved in the project and highlight the happy face of Dubrovnik.

The video was launched today and has received positive comments from all over the world. Mark Thomas, a journalist from Dubrovnik, came up with the idea of filming a Happy Dubrovnik video and within a few hours the project was realised.
“I was sent a link from a friend with a Happy video from London and thought it would be a cool idea for Dubrovnik,” commented Thomas. “I hadn’t heard of the project before but absolutely loved the song and the message of the whole project. I would like to thank everyone who made this Dubrovnik Happy project happen, a huge thanks to Step n Jazz and of course LMT Studio who whole kindheartedly supported Happy Dubrovnik,” added Thomas.


Text: digitaljournal.com

Jadrolinija's Internet Survey for Names of New Ferries

The names of four new ferries for "Jadrolinija", which are built in "Uljanik" in Pula, are for the first time elected by their potential passengers. You can vote for one of 16 offered the name of the Croatian island.

"Godfathers" can choose from the following names: Brač, Čiovo, Drvenik, Ist, Lopud, Kornati islands, Krk, Lopud, Mljet, Pag, Susak, Sipan, Union, Vis, Zlarin and Zirje. The four "candidates" that receive the most votes on the website will be choosen for the new ferries.

Oznake: Mljet, brac, Lopud