Croatian visitor numbers reaching record levels

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Visitor numbers in Croatia are likely to reach record levels this year, according to official estimates.

Figures cited by IOL Travel showed that during the first nine months of 2007, there were more than nine million foreign arrivals, 6% more than during the same time last year.

Meanwhile, tourists were found to have stayed for a total of 53.4 million nights, an increase of 5% on 2006 and a sign of growing demand for rental accommodation in the former Yugoslav republic.

This has prompted officials in Croatia to predict further growth in its tourist market during the next few years.

Commenting on the country's suitability as a holiday destination, Eduard Kusen of the Tourism Institute said it offered a good infrastructure and lots of visitor attractions.

He added: "Croatia has an excellent geographical position as it is close to tourist markets."

According to the Southeast European Times, Croatia is aiming to become a European tourism "superpower" that could rival countries such as Greece and Turkey in terms of its market share.