decision split
Croatia, renowned for its beautiful coastline and surrounding islands, is currently riding on the crest of an Adriatic wave, says Jeannine Williamson
C
roatia was fl avour of the month this summer: August saw a seven per cent increase in British visitors compared
to the same month last year. These fi gures from the Croatian National
Tourist Board (CNTB) follow a 23% rise of year- on-year visits in 2013, compared with 2012. With the launch of a new marketing campaign
to sell the destination year-round and promote areas that can be visited out of season, combined with an increase in family, island hopping and activity breaks, Croatia is far removed from the destination that once predominantly attracted the ‘grey market’. Ellie Marr, the Balkans specialist at Regent Holidays, said: “Croatia has an incredibly broad appeal, from the Ibiza set fl ocking to the festivals of Pag and Pula to the culture and history buffs who are captivated by the rich Venetian heritage of Split and Dubrovnik. It really does have something for everyone. “Our best selling product is the 14-day
“With 2,000km of coast,
1,000 plus islands and eight natural parks, Croatia ranks amongst the world’s best places
for outdoor active holidays” CATHERINE CRONE, PR & COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT, HEADWATER HOLIDAYS
Highlights of Croatia fl y-drive. Clients like the fl exibility that a fl y-drive offers and it covers a good stretch of the country, from the cosmopolitan capital of Zagreb in the north to enchanting Dubrovnik along the shores of the Adriatic.” Increased airlift for 2015 also provides agents with more options to dynamically package Croatia. The capital, Zagreb, is a two-hour fl ight from London and it is just 30 minutes more to Dubrovnik and other popular coastal resorts such as Split and Rijeka on the Dalmatian coast. So in addition to traditional stays of a week or more, Croatia can be sold as a short and city break destination.
Just You is aiming to attract more solo
travellers with the launch of new active holidays for 2015/16. The eight-day Croatia product, which leads in at £1,049pp, includes hiking, canoeing and cycling and group sales director Colin Wilson said: “We hope that this exciting new range will encourage the younger
market to discover the Just You product.” Promoted under the strapline ‘The
Mediterranean as it once was’, and with a wide range of accommodation to suit different budgets, the CNTB and operators remain confi dent that Croatia’s appeal will continue. Rupert Diggins, Sales and Marketing Manager at Balkan Holidays said: “Croatia has so much to offer, whether visitors are looking for a beach holiday or a spot of culture, they won’t be disappointed. Every age group and taste is catered for from young professionals to families and more mature travellers.”
What’s new Attractions: Boasting Croatia’s highest water
slide, Istralandia Aquapark (
istralandia.hr) opened this summer north of Porec in Istria. Croatia’s fi rst ice bar is at the Onofrio restaurant (
onofrio.hr) in Dubrovnik. Operators: Balkan Holidays (balkanholidays.
co.uk) has added three new week-long island hopping tours for 2015. Singles specialist Just You (
justyou.co.uk) has added a seven-night active break with a hike up Biokovo Mountain, cycling on the Dalmatian coast and a canoe safari along Vrljika River. Intrepid Travel (
intrepidtravel.com) has
sellingtravel.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80