Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Medule (talk | contribs) at 20:20, 23 April 2006 (please facts). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Tourism in Croatia is a well-developed industry as Croatia is an attractive tourist destination, particularly because of its extensive coastline and well-preserved coastal Renaissance towns. In 2005 Croatia had 10 million tourist visitors.

The interior of the country, with the exception of the capital Zagreb, the erstwhile Baroque capital Varazdin and a plethora of medieval castles, has fewer tourist attractions. Eight areas in the country have been designated national parks, and the landscape in these areas is afforded extra protection from development.

Several companies run flotillas of yachts along different stretches of the coastline, which is also popular with divers.

Some of the tourist attractions in Croatia include:

• Zagreb;
• the Kornati National Park;
• the fortified city of Dubrovnik;
• the Krka waterfalls, part of the Krka National Park;
• the Plitvice Lakes; and
• the town of Varazdin (former capital of Croatia)
• the Jasenovac monument, a pilgrim site and a shrine of particular interest for Serbian visitors

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has included the following Croatian sites on its World Heritage List:

• Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian
• Old City of Dubrovnik
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč
• Historic City of Trogir
• The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik

Unexploded land mines

The unexploded land mines are the most serious safety issue. It is often downplayed, if not agressively hidden by Croatia's tourist industry. For instance, Zdenko Micic, Croatia's minister of tourism, has vowed to remove mine warning signs , which were part of mine-awareness program, before summer because he thinks they may hurt the industry. However, since 1991, there have been 1,779 casualties reported due to landmines or unexploded ordnance (UXO), out of which 430 died. In 2005 there were 13 casualties reported out of which 4 died. More details and links to maps of the areas with mine risks can be found in the article minefields in Croatia.

Attacks on tourists from former Yugoslavia

Hooligans in Croatia often attack cars and tourist visitors, particularly from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro. Even tourist busses have been attacked by mobs. Near the border crossings from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro there are "welcome" bilboards carrying message: "This is homeland of Ante Gotovina". Some tourists from former Yugoslavia find such display an overt provocation.

• Tourism in Croatia