The first six months of 2012 have seen a record number of visitors travel to Croatia.

Arrivals from the UK are up 25 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to official statistics.

A number of new routes out of the UK have launched in recent months, including Heathrow to Zagreb with British Airways and Ryanair’s East Midlands to Zadar, which have led to anticipation growth will continue.

Star Power

One special visitor to the destination was Beyoncé, who reportedly named her daughter Ivy Blue after a tree she saw on the popular island of Hvar during a holiday last year.

In recognition of the development, the mayor of Hvar, Pjerino Bebić, bestowed the title of honorary citizen on the baby.

Pictures of Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z holidaying in Croatia hit the news last summer, when the expectant mother was photographed on the beaches of Hvar.