This year will be a record one for tourism in Rijeka in every aspect, continuing the successful stride – an annual increase of 20% in revenue from tourism was reported in every of the last six years.
Around 5% of employed citizens of Rijeka currently work in three branches of the tourism sector: hospitality, accommodation services and travel agencies, reports Novi list on September 8, 2017. The three domains have generated revenue in the total amount of 700 million kuna last year, a figure surpassed by this year’s results as early as the end of August.
Director of the Tourist Board of the City of Rijeka Petar Škarpa and Mayor Vojko Obersnel presented the outstanding business results achieved in the first eight months of 2017.
“While we had a hostel expansion last year, this one was marked by an increase in number of private accomodation facilities. Starting from the beginning of the year, we have seen 1300 new beds and the city currently disposes with more than 3000 beds”, stated Škarpa.
“In eight months, we’ve generated 110.000 overnight stays in the worth of 1.5 million kuna, a sum that will certainly positively influence the employment rate and the average spending in our city”, added Škarpa.
By the end of August, Rijeka recorded a 19% increase in tourist arrivals compared with last year: a total of 97.837 arrivals, 76% of those generated by foreign tourists, 24% by domestic tourists. Foreign tourists alone generated an increase of 44% in overnight stays.
Tourists spent an average of 2-3 days in Rijeka, as expeced for an urban city break destination. The available accommodation includes four hotels, two inns, fifteen hostels, two student dormitories and various types of private accommodation. The largest percentage of overnight stays was recorded in private accommodation (44%), followed by hotel facilities (29%).
Mayor Obersnel stated the number of overnight stays would certainly increase futher if the City didn’t have to deal with Camp Preluk, a facility that’s been operating illegally for a long time, yet the state still hasn’t dealt with the problem. Obersnel also announced the City is expecting the new tourist resort that’s supposed to open in Kostabela in 2019 to considerably add to the business results in tourism.
“I would have never thought, nor have I ever said that tourism will become the most important economic sector in Rijeka, but it’s certainly a significant segment of Rijeka’s economy. Apart from the City and the Tourist Board of Rijeka, everyone working in hospitality is to thank for that as well”, stated Obersnel.
Translated from Novi list.
