ZAGREB, October 17, 2019 – Nautical tourism is an important segment of Croatia’s tourism because it enriches its offer and extends the season, which is the aim of the tourism policy, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović said on Thursday while opening the 21st edition of the Biograd Boat Show which has attracted a record 400 exhibitors and is expected to attract about 20,000 visitors by October 20 when it closes.
“In two decades this nautical, economic and tourist event has developed into one of the leading nautical fairs in Europe and is visited by thousands of visitors. Fairs like this promote an exceptionally important segment of our tourism offer, nautical tourism, whose development we have to undoubtedly support,” said Grabar-Kitarović.
She added that the success and importance of the Biograd Boat Show has been recognised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) which has organised the Nautical Days for the third year in a row.
The president underscored that it was important for the tourism industry to complement other industries in Croatia, particularly agriculture, “so that we can finally achieve what we are constantly talking about, for green Croatia to feed blue Croatia, for continental tourism to develop,” said Grabar-Kitarović.
She said that nautical tourism was important because it attracted higher paying guests who, through higher consumption, contribute more strongly to the economy. Nautical tourism also extends the season as a lot of regattas are organised in the shoulder season and its development stimulates small shipyards in Croatia.
“Nautical tourism gives Croatia’s tourism a prestigious image and that is why it is interesting to even the most demanding tourists and puts our country alongside the most developed tourist destinations,” she said.
HGK vice president Dragan Kovačević said that Croatia is a nautical superpower and one of the most significant nautical destinations on the Mediterranean, and globally too.
“That is backed by numbers – Croatia has a fleet of 4,300 vessels and more than 140 tourism ports with more than 17,000 berths and one million passengers on cruise liners. Average spending by nautical tourists is €126 a day or €183 for charter passengers, with more than 30% of that money spent on other forms of tourism, from cultural events to wine and food,” Kovacevic explained.
More yachting news can be found in the Travel section.
