Northstar

TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA O F F I C I A L D A I L I E S www.travelweekly-asia.com 10 27 October 2017 T he Croatian Tourism Development Strategy to 2020 envisages continued growth of business tourism as one of its primary products. Croatia has been rapidly climbing the ladder on the international meetings and incentives market. The best-recognised meetings destinations are the capital city, Zagreb, as well as Dubrovnik, which many have proclaimed to be the world's most beautiful city. Another important venue is the former imperial summer and winter resort, Opatija. Kristjan Staničić, the recently appointed director of the head office of the Croatian National Tourist Board, said the country had strong credentials for attracting business tourism. "The reasons for this are the quick and easy transport access, excellent value for the money, and high level of personal security. The natural beauty and cultural attractions, and excellent culinary reputation are added value and benefits when selecting a venue," he said. Croatia is heavily featured in the HBO TV's fantasy series Game of Thrones, where Bokar Fortress in the walled city of Dubrovnik represents King's Landing in the second and third series. The two-storey medieval fortress is open to the public all year round. Also in Dubrovnik, visitors can see the Red Keep, the House of the Undying and the setting of the Purple Wedding. Other locations used in Game of Thrones include the 1700-year-old Diocietian Palace at Split - Croatia's second largest city - the city of Klis, 20 kilometres north of Split, and the monastery of St Dominic in Trogir. By Ian Jarrett CROATIA LOOKS FOR A BETTER RETURN FROM TOURISM Dubrovnik Old Town. PHOT0 CREDIT: MAXONTRAVEK/ISTOCK Croatia is working hard to build up a stronger business tourism sector to complement its standing as one of Europe's most popular leisure destinations. This year, Croatia's leisure industry is on track to increase revenue by 10%, from 10 billion euros ($11.8 billion) in 2016, but while the European Union member is a top-five destination in southern Europe, it lags many of its peers in spending per visitor. In Dubrovnik, Croatia's most visited destination, officials have announced plans to cut the number of cruise-ship arrivals by as much as two-thirds to protect the historic Old Town. On a recent day in August, more than 9,000 people were crammed inside the ancient stone walls of city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The crowd of visitors exceeded the UN body's recommendations. "This was unacceptable," Dubrovnik mayor Mato Frankovic said. "We cannot have 9,000 people in the historic centre, because these people won't be leaving Dubrovnik with good memories." And because day visitors from cruise ships spend nothing on hotel accommodation and little on food, Dubrovnik feels it is being short- changed. Hence its new focus on high-spending business tourism. Two new sites in Croatia were recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List - The Fortress of St. Nicholas in Šibenik, and the City Walls of Zadar. The Fortress of St. Nicholas stands at the entrance to Šibenik in the Channel of St. Anthony. It was constructed in the 16th century as a defensive structure to protect from Turkish invasions from the sea, and is one of four fortresses in Šibenik. The Zadar city walls were also erected by the Venetian Republic in the 16th century to defend against the Turks. Croatia already has an impressive list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Diocletian's Palace in Split, the Dubrovnik Old Town, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, Trogir Old Town, Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik, and the Stari Grad field on the island of Hvar. ////// Croatia's signicant UNESCO sites "This year, Croatia's leisure industry is on track to increase revenue by 10%, from 10 billion euros ($11.8 billion) in 2016..."

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