This year is extremely successful for Croatian tourism and this was confirmed with the last great recognition, the prize won by our country for the Destination of 2018 in the selection of the Association of Travel Agents of Québec (AAVQ). The "Uni-Vers" ceremony was held last night at the Théâtre Rialto in Montreal, and Croatia was named the best destination in the strong competition made by Portugal, Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The award was takenby Ina Rodin, director of the Croatian Tourist Board Representative Office in New York, which covers the Canadian market too.
-The award for the destination of the year is a confirmation of the excellent position of our country on the Canadian market, with over 170 thousand arrivals and 470 thousand overnight stays in the previous year, representing a growth of 24 percent in arrivals and 18 percent in overnight stays compared to the same period last year. The additional importance of this award is that the same is awarded by the professionals from the tourism industry, or more precisely the representatives of travel agencies and tour operators, but also based on the voices of the general public and the traveling enthusiasts - said the director of the Croatian Tourist Board Kristjan Stanicic, adding that a stronger positioning of Croatia in far-off markets will be one of the key strategic goals for the next year.
The Quebec Association of Travel Agents (AAVQ) was founded in June 2011 as a non-profit association with a free membership for all representatives and entities operating in the travel industry. The aim of the association is to protect and improve the legal rights of members, as well as to encourage the quality of work among members to meet all customer expectations.
Ina Rodin said that the positive trends from the Canadian market will continue in the next year. – Regarding to estimates of the total number of arrivals and overnight stays from the Canadian market in the next year, further growth is expected in Croatia at a growth rate of at least 20 percent. The estimates are based on the Canadian economy's recovery forecasts, with a strong contribution to direct flights linking Toronto to Zagreb and Split and a general growth in the interest of traveling to Croatia - said Rodin.
