Air traffic, despite the problems caused by volcanic activity in Iceland, will remain an important channel through which tourists will come to Croatia, concluded the press conference of the Ministry of Tourism held today at Zagreb’s Pleso Airport.
This year, around 600,000 tourists are expected to arrive in Croatia by air, and the decline in traffic, or a smaller number of passengers by 7 percent, according to the director of Zagreb Airport, Tonči Peović, will be compensated during the summer months, that is, in the peak of the tourist season. Lukša Novak, the director of Split Airport, shares a similar opinion, adding that the measures of the Ministry of Tourism have already yielded certain results and that the financial injection of 18 million kuna to airports in Croatia has greatly helped in preparing for the tourist season, which has essentially already begun.
“A new passenger terminal has been built at Dubrovnik Airport, Split has been expanded, and work is underway in Zagreb to improve infrastructure,” said Novak, adding that this month, airports in Croatia experienced a 2 percent increase in traffic and passenger numbers compared to May. Niko Bulić believes that the measures of the Croatian Tourist Board, which he heads, for the rescue of air traffic are very good and that in 2010, they began joint advertising of regional air programs through the network of tourist boards. “In addition to investing nearly 14 million kuna for these purposes, we are also seeking other ways to save air transport, which has found itself in crisis due to global trends,” said Bulić. Minister of Tourism Damir Bajs stated that the Ministry anticipated last year that air traffic on a global level was facing significant problems and that they had already begun implementing measures that yielded results. “Airlines and tour operators will not come to Croatia because of our natural beauties but because of the contracts we have managed to sign. I must mention that for joint advertising last year, we had 51 requests from agencies, tour operators, and airlines, and this year, there are even 115 new requests. If this year’s numbers repeat last year’s, we will continue these activities next year and will also launch new measures,” said Bajs.
