Lessons
In summer 2016, Croatia has seen a significant rise in the number of visitors from the UK, with the Croatian National Tourist Board revealing a 26% increase in overnight stays from UK visitors versus last year.
To accommodate this increase in demand, several airlines are increasing the number of flights to the destination as well as creating new routes to make more of the country accessible to tourists.
British Airways will launch a twice weekly direct service to Pula during their summer schedule. Monarch is launching new routes in 2017 from Croatia’s busiest airport, Zagreb to London Gatwick and Manchester. Ryanair has also announced new routes, with a twice weekly flight from Glasgow to Zadar due to launch in the summer of 2017. Jet2 has recently announced a variety of new routes to Croatia, with flights starting in April and May from across the UK to Dubrovnik and Pula. Thomas Cook Airlines is also launching a new route at the beginning of May, transporting tourists and locals between Manchester and Split.
To reflect the increase in tourism, Split Airport will see a terminal expansion set to commence in 2017, bringing the total airport capacity to 3.5 million passengers.
The new airport in Zagreb is set to open in March 2017, however it has recently been announced that further to the new airport, there is also a new 4* hotel planned, that will be connected to the airport and will offer 150 rooms, shops, fitness facilities and a secure parking garage. The main tour operators will also be increasing the planned programmes in Croatia for 2017, as well as many new specialist operators now beginning to appear in the market.
Croatia’s nautical tourism has also seen a significant increase of over 60% in arrivals from the UK in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 – a record year for the charter business. Recently named ‘Cruising Ground Of The Year’ by Sailing Today Magazine, Croatia is becoming increasingly popular as a sailing destination as it is renowned for its long coastline and picturesque islands.
Whether it’s a romantic city break, adventure trip, a family beach holiday or going to a festival with friends, Croatia has something for everyone, and with plenty of new hotels and attractions set to open in 2017, there has never been a better time to visit.
New Hotel Openings:
Family Life Bellevue 4*, Rabac
Hotel Lemongarden 5*, Sutivan, Brac
TUI Blue Adriatic 4*, Makarska
Salona Palace hotel 4*, Solin
Hotel Olympia, Sibenik
Brown Beach House Hotel Spa, Trogir, Split
Vinotel Gospoja, Vrbnik, Krk
Valamar Girandella 4*, Girandella, Istria
Hotel Ola, Seget, Trogir