The Dubrovnik-Neretva County, which among other destinations includes Cavtat and the islands of Mljet and Korcula, also reported a year-on-year boost of 16 per cent with 131,167 Brits visiting the region between January-September 2013.
In the same time period, 675,208 tourists from around the world visited the ‘Jewel of the Adriatic’, a rise of 11 per cent on 2012’s figures.
With a strong end to the tourism year expected, Dubrovnik is already looking to attract even more UK holidaymakers by improving its accommodation stock for 2014.
Planned Dubrovnik developments in 2014 include:
• Adriatic Luxury Hotels and Riviera Adria hotel, the two largest hotel groups in Dubrovnik, will invest 60 million Euros in their southern hotels this winter season for increased capacity in 2014
• Koločep, one of the Elaphiti islands off Dubrovnik, will boast a couples-only hotel next year – an investment worth almost 9 million Euros
• Hotel Dubrovnik President will undergo a 20 million Euro revamp, with plans for 113 new rooms, an outdoor pool, a larger conference room and wellness centre
• The Argosy Hotel’s exterior facilities, including swimming pool and terrace, will be improved next year
• The Kompas Hotel, located in Lapad bay, is undergoing a complete renovation to take it to a four-star hotel
“Dubrovnik, with its mighty walls, designer shops and close proximity to fascinating islands has long tempted Brits to its shores, and it’s great to see that the city continues to inspire new and returning visitors,” said Tonko Rilović, UK and Ireland Director of the CNTO.
“However, to get back to the record-breaking visitor figures of the early 1990s, we need to show UK holidaymakers that Croatia offers much more than just beautiful coastline for a memorable break all year-round.”
“As such, 2014 will see us strengthening our position as a top short haul destination by highlighting our 16 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, eight national parks and our numerous historic cities such as Rovinj, Zadar and Varaždin,” continued Rilović.
Meri Matešić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, believes the UK market has a huge potential for growth:
“With an ever-growing list of electronic music festivals and a range of hotel revamps and couples-only accommodation underway throughout the country, I’m confident that we’ll welcome a new wave of UK families, couples and young travellers in 2014.”
As many of Dubrovnik’s palaces, its oldest arboretum and Bokar fortress featured in the award-winning HBO TV series, Game of Thrones, and with Split’s upcoming debut in the fourth series, film tourism is also set to boost 2014’s arrival figures.
Boasting a wealth of breath-taking architecture and scenery, as well as fine local wines and delicious fresh seafood, Croatia is the ideal destination for all seasons, interests and budgets next year.
