The traditional event gathering tourism professionals, the Days of Croatian Tourism, opened on Wednesday in Rovinj. The gathering, which is expected to attract around 2,000 participants, will last for three days and began on an interesting note, thanks to Istrian County Prefect Ivan Jakovčić.
At the very beginning of the gathering, the Prefect welcomed the speakers and called for discussions on politically sensitive topics such as golf courses and the Brijuni Riviera project. – We have only three golf courses, just like North Korea. Let us have the courage to tell the greens that the golf law is not good – said Jakovčić, adding that it is disappointing that Dražen Ladić has been unsuccessfully trying to build golf courses for 11 years. The Prefect stated that he does not intend to criticize, but rather his request is for the private sector to help come up with new, better ideas where the current ones do not work.
Later speakers commented on Jakovčić’s remarks, with the Minister of Environment and Tourism from neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina jokingly suggesting to Minister Bajs to solve the problem by having the government abolish the office of the prefect, and then, like in BiH, transfer environmental issues to the Ministry of Tourism. However, Minister of Tourism Damir Bajs did not address Jakovčić’s welcoming speech in his address, but only reflected on the past season and provided forecasts for the next one. – For three consecutive years, Croatian tourism has been above the European average and has proven to be the most competitive part of the economy – said Bajs, adding that 2011 will not be easy. He therefore announced a presentation of new measures for the upcoming season at the conclusion of the Days of Croatian Tourism, stating that what was done for this year is not enough for the next one. (T.B.)
