Croatia is set to be one of the big travel hotspots in 2010, according to a report by a UK-based travel association.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), which represents over 5,000 travel agencies and around 900 tour operations in the UK, published its ‘Travel Trends Report 2010’ Tuesday (December 22nd) and included Croatia as one of the destinations it believes will be a tourist favourite next year.

Known as the pearl of the Adriatic, and as a European destination not in the Eurozone, Croatia fared well in 2009. Its array of islands have made it a favourite spot for sailing, provides privacy for A-list celebrities and Dubrovnik is an historical city full of unique-style shops, states the report.

In 2009, the country has seen an increase in short breaks, special interest holidays including spa and activity, growth in independent style holidays following tailor made itineraries and more demand for self-catering.

Improved infrastructure provides options to book a holiday which combines coast with trips to the green interior.

For Summer 2010, there will be more than 80 flights from the UK to Croatia with a significant increase in regional based flights, with new routes from Manchester, Nottingham-East Midlands and
Aberdeen.

While keen to conserve its unique heritage and character, Croatia has also been investing in upgrading its hotel infrastructure and there will be several new hotel openings and renovations including Zadar’s Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort’s 5 star Hotel & Spa. It boasts a 8000m² spa ‘universe’, and will be Croatia’s leading resort hotel due to open 2010. Other hotels include the former Hotel Marjan now renovated to 5 star status due to open early 2010 as Hilton Marjan Split and the 5 star Hotel Villa Dubrovnik, is being completely reconstructed and due to open in 2010.