The Croatian tourism industry has managed to build on the momentum achieved during a record-breaking 2011 by realizing 6.66 million arrivals and 35.87 million overnights in the first 7 months of 2012.

The tourism statistics, released by the Croatian Ministry of Tourism ( www.mint.hr ), show that Croatia realized a 3.8 percent increase in arrivals and 5.4 percent increase in overnights in the period January-July 2012 compared to the same period last year. Foreign tourists made 5.8 million arrivals (5 percent increase) and 31,.9 million overnights (6.6 percent increase).

The total profit for the first 5 months this year has surpassed last year’s results as well with a 4.2 percent increase. Croatian Tourism Minister, Mr. Ostojic, stated during a press conference held in Zagreb, Croatia, on August 7, 2012, that the forecasted earnings increase for this year is 3-5 percent, and should the results remain on track as so far, that should be a reachable goal.

Further, outstanding results were achieved from the USA and Canada markets for the January-July period 2012, reported the Croatian National Tourist Office New York.

Both arrivals and overnights results for the 7 months from the USA and Canada to Croatia recorded a double-digit increase - a total of 125,282 arrivals, a 14.88 percent, increase and 354,669 overnights, a 14.3 percent increase.

“We were expecting solid results due to reports from the American and Canadian travel agents and tour operators selling Croatia, but this is a larger increase than expected. We remained conservative in our forecasts due to overall economy, but more than anything the airfares this summer. This is an excellent result, and I would like to thank all the hard-working travel agents and tour operators who helped us promote Croatia, but also the American and Canadian media who have been more than supportive as well. Now we are looking into the fall and preparing for next season,” said Mrs. Andreja Cvitkovic, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Office New York.

The Croatian National Tourist Office New York is a part of the Croatian National Tourist Board, the field office in charge of the USA and Canada markets.

The Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB) is a national tourist organization founded with a view to promoting and creating the identity, and to enhance the reputation of, Croatian tourism. The mission also includes the planning and implementation of a common strategy and the conception of its promotion, proposal, and the performance of promotional activities of mutual interest for all subjects in tourism in the country and abroad, as well as raising the overall quality of the whole range of tourist services on offer in the Republic of Croatia.