During a press conference held on Wednesday, Minister of Tourism Damir Bajs presented the financial results of the tourism sector for the first three quarters of 2008. The Minister announced record-breaking results for the sector, but noted that “we should be ready for everything” in 2009.

According to a Croatian National Bank (HNB) report, tourism revenues in the first three quarters of 2008 reached EUR 6.8 billion, which is 10 per cent more than in the same period in the previous year, and greater than the total revenues in 2007, which reached EUR 6.7 billion.

The results for the final quarter should also be solid, bringing total revenues to a record EUR 7.1 billion for the year, as forecast. Tourism therefore accounts for 22 per cent of total GDP, making it one of the most important strategic industries, noted Bajs.

The minister said that the Tourism Ministry spent HRK 40 million last year financing various projects and promotional activities, and that Sabor passed four bills with the intention of improving the efficiency of the sector, including the controversial Golf Act.

Promotion and advertising will be key elements of the goal to maintain at least the same results as the previous year. The public and private sectors combined expect to pump in excess of HRK 173 million into marketing campaigns and promotion throughout the year.