CROATIA Croatia What's new
Essentially Prestige has significantly expanded its programme with five new resorts, more self-catering and all inclusive options, a five-star golfing break, wedding packages, a coach tour and self-drive itineraries. Balkan Holidays has launched three- and four-night breaks flying from seven regional airports to Dubrovnik and from four airports to Split. Prices lead in from £172pp and the choice of mainland destinations includes Dubrovnik, Split and Makarska with island options including Korcula, Brac and Hvar.
New Thomson properties include hotels Lone, Laguna Park, Laguna Gran Vista and Laguna Istra, all in Pula, and Dubrovnik’s Hotel Croatia is now part of the Thomson Platinum Collection. For self-catering clients Vintage
Travel has introduced the three- bedroom Villa Florinda with a private pool in the Istrian hamlet of Bokordici. Page & Moy has a cruise on the new four-star 18-cabin MS President, which sails from Spilt via Krka National Park and the Makarska Riviera and is
exclusive to Page & Moy clients. News on the accommodation front includes the Park Plaza group renovating and rebranding the Hotel Medulin as the only four-star hotel in Medulin, Istria. Scheduled to re-open in May, it marks the group’s first Croatian property and will be shortly followed by the opening of the Park Plaza Histria Pula and Park Plaza Verudela Pula.
The five-star Hotel & Spa Iadera, near Zadar, was recently named as the first Croatian member of Leading Hotels of the World and is noted for its contemporary design, excellent restaurants and a large thalassotherapy spa.
tourismtalk Meri Matesic
UK Director of the Croatian National Tourist Office “2012 has started well
for Croatia, with an 18% increase in arrivals from the UK compared to the same period last year. Looking ahead advance bookings are encouraging and we are confident it will be
another good season. We have seen steady growth in visitor numbers over the last few years, which is in line with our focus on developing a sustainable visitor economy for Croatia. “Our 2012 marketing campaign
kicked off at the end of March and is encouraging people to visit the destination in the shoulder season. The mild Mediterranean climate means Croatia is perfect for a spring or autumn break. For the first time in the UK we have a two-part marketing campaign, which is running before and after the high season.”
asktheoperators John Dixon
Chairman & Managing Director, Essentially Prestige “The short flight has a
very strong appeal and this year the great value is a key selling point. "Our holidays lead in at £299 at the Island Fortuna in Porec including flights and transfers.
"Croatia also offers such a variety of experiences meaning agents can find a break to suit most clients.”
Gary Boyer
Head of Purchasing Classic Collection Holidays “First-time visitors will fall
in love with Dubrovnik. It's steeped in medieval history, set on the Mediterranean Sea, romantic, with delightful people, wonderful cuisine and some world-class hotels, it’s also an excellent base from which to explore nearby islands.”
asktheagent
Jasmine Payne Assistant Manager, Wroxham Travel “Mature clients who
visited the former Yugoslavia were among the first to go back after the war. Although that was in the 1990s we occasionally have to dispel the preconceptions of younger clients who don’t realise it’s such a fantastic destination. Dubrovnik is a top seller for people who prefer to stay in one place as there’s plenty to see and the smaller islands are becoming increasingly popular for clients who want a quiet holiday.”
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