Croatia eyes GCC market

The Croatian National Tourist Board and flydubai, along with the Zagreb Tourist Board, have highlighted an increase in the number of routes to the Croatian capital.

Croatian National Tourist Board representative, Jelena Slavujevic says, “Income from foreign visitors to Croatia totaled $7.8 billion in 2014, growth of 2.8 per cent over 2013. However, we have already witnessed a 24 per cent increase in the number of arrivals during the first quarter of 2015, so we are confident our tourism receipts this year will eclipse our 2014 earnings."

Slavujevic justified part of this increase to the new and direct routes between Dubai and Zagreb operated by flydubai which offers direct flights three times a week. Qatar Airways has also announced it will introduce two additional flights soon to the Croatian capital taking its tally to seven weekly direct flights from Doha. Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa already operate seven flights weekly to Zagreb from Dubai via Istanbul and Germany.

“The GCC market holds great potential for us, notwithstanding Croatia's stunning natural beauty, our heritage and our cultural similarities. The real game-changer now is the increased number of direct flights to Zagreb, most notably those operated by fly- dubai and Qatar Airways. Many people may not realise that we are little more than five hours away from Dubai," Slavujevic adds.

Martina Bienenfeld, CEO, Zagreb Tourist Board, highlighted the work the capital has undertaken to meet the demands of the Middle East market. "Zagreb is witnessing a growth in demand from the GCC visitors and was one of the first cities in Croatia to identify the opportunities of halal tourism.We're now home to 30 per cent of Croatia's 15 halal quality certified hotels."

To attract a greater number of tourists from GCC countries the Croatian government has introduced a raft of measures to meet the specific demands of Gulf tourists. Croatia will host the Halal Tourism & Trade congress in March and as a nation will celebrate World Halal Day in November 2016.

The GCC market holds great potential for us, notwithstanding Croatia's stunning natural beauty, our heritage and our cultural similarities. The real gamechanger now is the increased number of direct flights to Zagreb, most notably those operated by flydubai and Qatar Airways

Jelena Slavujevic

Representative, Croatian National Tourist Board