News Feature
Croatia's coastline is still unspoilt: European Environment Agency
18 December 2007
The coastline of Croatia has so far escaped the destruction of Europe's fragile coastal ecosystems that in other countries have reached an environmental "point of no return," according to the European Environment Agency (EEA).
It is possible for Croatia to achieve an "equilibrium between local development, habitat protection and landscape quality", according to the EEA.
Blanka Belosevic, head of the Croatia's state tourism department insists that they are aiming to "develop quality tourism, not mass tourism".
Croatia has the fastest tourism growth rate in Europe at 17.4 over the last ten years, according to statistics from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
However, Mr Belosevic said they are "lucky not to be in the situation of some other Mediterranean countries that have destroyed their coasts".
They are trying to better distribute the impact of tourism over more of the country and increase visits outside the June to September high season. It is hoped this will take relieve pressure on the coastline.
Developing hiking, cycling and wine touring routes and spa facilities are all part of the plan to tempt holidaymakers away from the coast.
Bed and breakfast-type accommodation in Croatia's many historic villas is being encouraged rather than multi-storey hotels beside the beach.
Category: Tourism News/trends
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