ZAGREB, June 23 (Xinhua) -- As of Wednesday, this year's number of tourist arrivals in Croatia increased by 57 percent compared to the same period last year, and the number of overnight stays was up by 58 percent, the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced.
From the beginning of the year to Wednesday, Croatia has recorded 2 million tourist arrivals and 8.4 million tourist nights.
Croatian Tourism Minister Nikolina Brnjac told reporters on Wednesday that 330,000 tourist arrivals were recorded last weekend, indicating that Croatia is a safe destination.
"Tourists are looking for a place where they have security, and we will pay great attention to security in the coming months," said the minister.
Most tourists in the first six months came from Germany, Slovenia, Austria and Poland. Most overnight stays were recorded in Istria and the Littoral.
The minister also announced that she would suggest to the representatives of the local authorities that large events not be organized this summer.
She also called on citizens to continue to be vaccinated, because that is the only guarantee that the tourist season in Croatia will be successful.
Tourism revenues account for about 20 percent of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP). Epidemiological situations have been improving as 43 percent of the adult population have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Wednesday. Officials have warned that the plan to vaccinate 50 percent by the end of this month will not be realized now that people's interest in getting vaccinated is waning. Enditem