UN World Tourist Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General Taleb Rifai met Croatian Tourism Minister Damir Bajs in Berlin on Thursday during the ITB Berlin tourism fair, Hina reports. Rifai expressed optimism about Croatia's tourism which he said could achieve better results than expected this year.

Speaking of estimates for Mediterranean countries, Rifai said they could end the year with a 2-3 per cent growth, adding that Croatian tourism was a success story. Bajs said that despite estimates, one should be cautious as the year would certainly not be easy.

Speaking of preparations for the tourist season, Bajs highlighted the implementation of public-private partnership measures as well as measures aimed at lifting visa requirements for certain markets. Rifai said the UNWTO had supported those measures, voicing confidence that other countries would follow Croatia's example, the Croatian Tourism Ministry said in a press release.

Worldwide, ITB Berlin is the only travel trade show that continues to expand in the international marketplace, with the 44th edition of ITB Berlin emphatically confirming its leading role. A slight rise in exhibitor attendance and stable trade visitor numbers from both Germany and abroad ensured the trade fair was a success.

11,127 companies from 187 countries (2009: 11,098) exhibited the international travel industry’s entire range of products and services at the ITB Berlin this year. Over 110,900 trade visitors from 180 countries attended the show, with approximately 7,200 accredited journalists from 89 countries covering the fair.