Analysis

Croatia to launch 2.7 billion-euro tourism infrastructure strategy

Croatia has announced plans for a news tourism strategy, with the government set to invest 20 billion kuna (2.7 billion euros) in transport infrastructure, including railways, ports and airports.

Full details of the project will be presented during the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins in January 2020.

Four and five-star hotels have been key factors to Croatian success, with tourists are attracted by high levels of quality. According to the ministry of tourism, there has been a 70 per cent increase in the number of four and five-star hotels in recent years, while share of three-star accommodation has been reduced from 42 to 34 per cent.

The ministry says it is now time to focus on wages and infrastructure.

“Croatia must work on sustainable development and quality,” said tourism minister Gari Cappelli.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Croatia reached almost 20 million in 2018, and the sector’s share of total GDP is approaching 20 per cent.