The 20th international congress Tourism and the Hotel Industry 2010: New Trends in Tourism and Hotel Management opened in the northern Adriatic resort of Opatija on Friday. The aim of the event is to connect domestic and foreign experts and practitioners, who will share knowledge and experience, and present the findings of the latest researches in tourism management and the hospitality industry.

The congress was organised by the Opatija Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Opening the event, Tourism Ministry state secretary Zeljko Lenart underlined the importance of such expert meetings for Croatia given that tourism generates 16-17 per cent of the national gross domestic product.

In time of crisis, it is essential that this tourist season be good and indicators have been relatively good so far, he said.