Croatian Tourism Expects 670 Million Euros in Investments

Investments in the hotel sector are particularly encouraging, as the goal is to increase the share of hotel accommodation to at least 18 percent of the total share by 2020. Regarding campsites, it is essential and crucial to raise quality.

This year, 670 million euros is expected to be invested in tourism in Croatia, stated Tourism Minister Anton Kliman on Monday, who visited the Lanterna campsite in Tar where Valamar Riviera is investing 86 million kuna and the Amarin hotel being built by Maistra in Rovinj.

 – Investments for this year in the tourism sector are planned at the level of 670 million euros, which is about 35 percent more than last year, said Kliman.

He noted that investments in the hotel sector are particularly encouraging, as the Ministry aims to increase the share of hotel accommodation to at least 18 percent of the total share by 2020. Regarding campsites, he believes that raising quality is essential and crucial.

The Lanterna campsite, a member of the Leading Camping Europe association and a recipient of numerous quality awards, spans eighty hectares and has 2,855 units. According to the CEO of Valamar Riviera, Željko Kukurin, the company’s investment in Lanterna represents the largest individual investment in camping in Croatia this year.

– The conversion of campsites into modern camping resorts of higher quality targeting guests with greater purchasing power is one of the key growth and development potentials of Croatian tourism, said Kukurin, adding that Valamar Riviera will invest a total of 262 million kuna this year to enhance the quality of its portfolio of hotels, apartments, and campsites in destinations from Istria and Krk to Dubrovnik, with investments focused on new amenities, restaurants, and beaches.

The family hotel Amarin is a kind of greenfield investment as it is being built from the ground up on the site of the former old Valdaliso hotel from 1980, which was demolished at the end of last year. Maistra is investing as much as 300 million kuna in Amarin, which will represent a new premium product of the company and Rovinj aimed at families with children. The new hotel will have 280 accommodation units that can accommodate 550 guests.

– The new Amarin hotel is intended for families with children precisely because of the amenities it will offer – such as playgrounds, playrooms, outdoor and indoor pools with oases, rivers, and waterfalls, as well as a mini adrenaline park, said Tomislav Popović, CEO of Maistra.

According to him, Maistra’s goal in the next two years is to invest an additional 1.6 billion kuna so that more than 95 percent of hotel capacities are at the service and offering level of four and five stars. As announced, the demolition of the Park hotel should begin this fall, and its renovation into a luxury facility will continue a series of Maistra’s investments in four and five-star hotels.