Ten percent more Spanish tourists could visit Croatia this year given the visible signs of recovery in Spain after the crisis, but this depends on air routes, which are still not satisfactory, Croatian travel agencies attending Fitur, the biggest international tourism fair in Spain, said on Wednesday.

"This year we expect the same growth as last year," said Ivana Rodin Miljas of the Dubrovnik-based Elite Travel agency, one of ten exhibitors at the fair which was opened today.

Last year 214,000 Spaniards visited Croatia, 13% more than in 2014, reaching the numbers from 2011, when the economic crisis gripped Spain. A growth of 8-10% is expected this year if the economic or security situation in Spain and globally does not escalate.

Spaniards prefer southern Croatia and began arriving in Dubrovnik in greater numbers a decade ago. Last year they accounted for 463,000 bed/nights, 16% more than in 2014, according to Croatia's National Tourism Board.

(Hina) ha