As Morski writes on the 23rd of August, 2020, the beautiful Croatian island of Rab still doesn’t have a single recorded case of coronavirus under its belt, reports HRT. Tourists feel safe on the island and Rab’s tourist results for this year reflect that and are very good in light of the circumstances. In the first two weeks of August, as much as 80 percent of last year’s tourist traffic was realised.
The crystal clear sea of the Rab aquatorium attracted tourists this year just as it has for countless years before it. An Italian family came to spend some time on Rab despite the ongoing pandemic, and they won’t let it get in their way.
”I can see that there are a lot of people in Croatia, I don’t see them wearing masks, I see a lot of people gathered together, and when I return to Italy I’ll have to take a test because a lot of people come back with coronavirus,” says Monica.
Some tourists, however, are not worried about the situation at all.
”Rab is a beautiful island, with beautiful beaches, and great gastronomy. I’m not afraid of coronavirus, as long as we keep our distance, then everything is fine,” claims German tourist Thomas. For now, they are extremely satisfied with the tourist season on Rab.
”We’re working with 60 percent of last year’s results and I think that’s very good considering the situation, our expectations were much, much lower,” admits Larisa Jaska, the owner of a Rab-based restaurant – Astoria.
About 14 thousand tourists are staying in the town of Rab. In the first two weeks of August, they achieved as much as 80 percent of last year’s results. But they have to admit that they are afraid for the rest of the season.
”Of course there is fear, there’s been fear since the proclamation of the very first case of infection in Croatia, if not before, we’re following everything, every press conference held by the National Civil Protection Headquarters, we’re looking at the situation in the area,” says Ivana Matusan, the director of the Rab Tourist Board.
They are also satisfied in Lopar. They have exceeded 300 thousand overnight stays, and currently there are more than 7 thousand guests staying there. But the situation is changing.
”We already have information from these slightly larger renters that tourists from Austria have started to cancel their reservations slowly, diplomacy will have to do its part, and we on the ground can only hope that there will be no major cancellations,” says Marin Musco, the director of Lopar Tourist Board.
Everyone on the island of Rab is hoping that this season will be dragged out for as long as possible despite the situation.
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