CROATIA TOURISM - OVERVIEW

Croatia can be classified as a Pannonian-Adriatic country due to its Central European and Mediterranean position. In terms of International law, the traditional heritage has moved from a Middle Age Princedom (791-924 A.D.) and Kingdom (925-1102) to its current standing as the Republic of Croatia, declared on June 25, 1991. Croatia has 4.8 million citizens and the capital city is Zagreb. The official language is Croatian. The national currency is the kuna.

The surface area of Croatia totals 87,667 square kilometers, which is made up of 56,538 square kilometers of mainland (65%) and the coastline - both internal and territorial seas - of 31,139 square kilometers (35%). The climate is mainly continental but at higher altitudes, there is also a mountainous climate. In the coastal regions, slightly south of the island Rab, the climate is classified as Mediterranean. The northern Adriatic (Istria, Kvarner mainland and the islands) has a moderately continental climate, excluding the interior parts of the region. Vegetation cover is very diverse. Forests make up 36% of the surface area. In the continental regions, the dominant forests are English oak, hornbeam, beech, and fir.

The coastal belt and islands are characterized by alpine pine, downy oak, white and dark hornbeam and dense evergreen underbrush. Rivers belong to the Black Sea (62%) and Adriatic (38%) drainage basins.

In Croatia there are approximately 500 travel agencies and representative branches of foreign agencies. Offices are located in all larger towns and at border crossings, and are equipped with tourism information and materials. Agencies organize excursions, rent-a-car services, and other activities, such as selling tickets for public transportation.

Hotels are divided into five categories: L, A, B, C, and D. In the first three categories, each room has private bathroom facilities. Hotels in health care centers and spring resorts have facilities required for medical rehabilitation. The price of hotel services is equivalent to European standards; the peak season prices are higher and single rooms are one-third the price of other rooms. In addition to the room fee there is also an accommodation tax. Many hotels offer half board (breakfast and dinner) or full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Prices for these packages are affordable.

Motels are most frequently located on major highways or near border crossings. In certain cases, these hotels are B category.

Overnight stays (accommodation) in specific rented rooms and apartments (in private housing) are the most affordable accommodations available. In some towns, this is the only type of accommodation available. The registration of guests and room assignment is conducted by the local tourism board and the rooms are divided into three categories. The first category is rooms with private bathroom facilities, in the second the bathroom facilities are separated from the room but used only by those guests sleeping in the room. The prices of these rooms are approximately between one-quarter and one-third the price of hotel accommodation. Apartments are also categorized.

Inns located on major highways often do not have facilities for overnight accommodation; some have rooms in the attic that are significantly less expensive in comparison to hotel accommodation.

There are approximately 150 well-developed camps located along the Adriatic coast. The most developed camps have stores, butcher shops, and bathroom facilities with electric connections (220 V) that are for shared use. During high season, the camps are often filled, and reservations are recommended.

Casinos, intended primarily for foreign guests, are located in Zagreb and other important tourism centers (Rovinj, Novigrad, Umag, Opatija).

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