ZAGREB, 7 Oct (Hina) – Croatia’s tourism sector recorded over 5% growth in revenue, arrivals and overnight stays in September compared with last year, signalling a strong post-season and a likely record year, Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina said on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of the conference “Can Croatia Have Sustainable Tourism?” at Algebra Bernays University in Zagreb, Glavina said tourist arrivals were up around 2% and overnight stays 1% so far this year, with growth driven by the pre-season and now continuing into autumn.

He named Istria as September’s “champion” region, with strong results also in Kvarner, Dalmatia and continental Croatia.

Sports and tourism events backed by the ministry and the Croatian National Tourist Board generated about 100,000 overnight stays, helping reduce seasonality and support year-round tourism, Glavina said.

He added that the government aims to boost off-season traffic, revenues and profitability through balanced tourism development nationwide.

Commenting on criticism that the proposed spatial planning act could harm luxury tourism, Glavina said public consultation had just ended and the government would align positions before sending the bill to parliament. “The final version will serve the interests of Croatian tourism and all its stakeholders,” he said.

The conference was organised by the Croatian Corporate Governance and Management Society.