March 30, 2022 – More Czech tourists in Croatia than the 2019 record are expected this year, which was confirmed by the “Croatian Day” held recently in Prague.

Croatia can expect excellent tourism results from the Czech market this year, even better than in 2019. This is the conclusion of the “Croatian Day” in Prague, a two-day event organized by the Office of Croatian tourism in the Czech Republic, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Ivan Bartoš and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Petar Gazdik, reports Novi List.

The central part of the event took place in the late Renaissance palace Martinický palác with a gala dinner at which, together with the Croatian delegation and representatives of the Croatian Embassy headed by Ambassador Ljiljana Pancirov, numerous owners, managers and representatives from the Czech Republic participated. tour operators, agencies and tourist associations. In addition, a press conference was held yesterday, as well as a meeting with tour operators. Minister Brnjac, Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Tomislav Fain, President of the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies (UHPA), and Nenad Nizić, President of the Unique Stories Group of Luxury Hotels at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce spoke at the press conference. The press conference brought together more than 40 Czech journalists and representatives of the most popular media. The business and working part of the program attracted around 50 entities and partners from the Czech tourism sector, including tour operators Fischer and České kormidlo, Czech carrier RegioJet and many others.

“Croatia has traditionally been one of the favorite tourist destinations for Czech tourists. We are particularly pleased that the Czech market is increasingly recognizing Croatia as a holiday destination outside the summer months, as evidenced by the fact that since the beginning of this year, we have achieved 98% more arrivals and 25% more overnight stays compared to the same period in 2019. Besides the sea and beautiful nature, Croatia is becoming a value-added destination because it offers tourists a higher level of experience, which modern Czech tourists are in addition to the offer already well known to them, we are continuously developing the segment of luxury tourism.In view of the growing demand in this segment of tourism in the Czech market in the coming period, we want to mark Croatia, among others, as a modern luxury tourist destination, which in the usual forms offers personalization. development of arrangements, assessment of experiences and emotions and personal development through communication with the local culture and community,” said Minister Brnjac.

Czech journalists were interested in epidemiological rules in Croatia and whether information about applications would be known in time, but also on the opening date of the Peljesac bridge. By the way, Czech tourists must have a COVID certificate this year to enter and move around Croatia, that is, proof that they have been vaccinated or have overcome COVID-19, he said. we explained.

CNTB director Staničić said that 60% of Czech tourists traveling to Croatia for summer holidays come with their families. At the same time, in the future, Croatia wants to be a year-round destination with a rich and diverse offer, both on the coast and on the mainland, and a goal that attracts tourists of different age groups, especially young people.

A working part of the program was organized with the participation of representatives of the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies (UHPA), Stories Group and Croatia Airlines. They also presented the new line introduced this year on the Prague-Split line, operating every Saturday from the beginning of June to the end of September.

After the meetings, Tomislav Fain said that it was time for Croatia to present itself in the Czech market in this way, since it is one of the five most critical source markets.

“In this way, we have shown respect for the Czech Republic and the guests who come to us from this country. Even though the sun and the sea are still the main reason for the arrival of Czech tourists in Croatia, we, as that UHPA, wanted to focus on other products and offers,” Fain said, adding that partners in the Czech Republic were very interested in the outdoor offer – even a pilgrimage tourism offer. However, colleagues from the Czech Republic already know Croatia exceptionally well as a destination.

“They know Croatia better than us. Most of the colleagues present at the meeting speak Croatian, which shows how much they respect and appreciate us and how important we are to them. at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. After that, they say better than ever. It slowed down a bit, but they are still very, very satisfied, especially those who specialize only in Croatia. We hope that this visit will bring additional positive public relations and will generate even more interest to come to our country,” concluded Fain.

Dubravko Miholić, director of the CNTB’s representation in the Czech Republic, said that Croatia was one of the favorite foreign destinations for Czechs, as evidenced by the tourist traffic carried out in recent years, and that their loyalty was particularly pronounced in the over the past two pandemic years. Czechs are increasingly looking for higher-class accommodation facilities in hotels and camps, and Croatian mainland destinations are also registering increased interest. And most Czechs still come to Croatia by car.

“Last year, the Czechs achieved more than five million overnight stays, which is an excellent 97% of the results of the 2019 record. This confirms that we have recovered very quickly in this market. At the same time, this year, given the excellent announcements, we expect even better results, including growth in tourist traffic, i.e. a full recovery and a return to pre-pandemic trends,” said concluded Miholić.

The director of the CNTB’s representative office in Prague said that many Czech guests should not be expected for the next Easter and that the largest arrivals are expected in July and August. He also pointed out that Croatia’s biggest competitors are Greece, Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, where Czechs could go on vacation this year. Miholić said Turkey and Hungary have strong campaigns in the Czech market. According to information from Croatian Day in Prague, this year you can expect excellent occupancy of RegioJet trains, which will again have rail lines to Rijeka and Split.

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