The Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB) celebrated a significant milestone yesterday, marking 25 years of promoting Croatia as a premier travel destination for American tourists. The event, held at the Croatian Embassy in Washington D. C. showcased the rich culture and heritage of Croatia, attracting over 60 travel agents, media representatives, and key stakeholders.
The celebration was hosted by Mr. Pjer Šimunović, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the United States of America, and organized by the Croatian National Tourist Board office in North America, represented by its director, Ms. Leila Krešić-Jurić. The Ambassador emphasized the strong and growing bond between Croatia and the United States, highlighting the increasing number of American visitors exploring the picturesque landscapes, unique culture, and historic sites of Croatia.
"Our mission has always been to emphasize Croatia's rich heritage and stunning landscapes to American travelers and introduce them to autochthonous dishes and wines from various Croatian regions. We are proud of our achievements and look forward to continuing to inspire Americans to discover the unique and diverse content and attractions that our country has to offer", said Krešić-Jurić.
Over the past 25 years, U.S. visitors to Croatia have seen remarkable growth. From modest beginnings, the number of American tourists surged to over 700,000 arrivals in 2023, representing a 33% increase from the previous year, and over 2,000,000 overnights, a 22% increase from the previous year. Let's add that in the current part of the year, Americans in Croatia have achieved a 7% increase in arrivals and 4% increase in overnights compared to last year.
As part of the celebration, special awards were presented for outstanding contribution to the promotion of Croatia on the North American market, and the following were honored: Niko Hazdovac and Peter Hazdovac from Adriatic Travel Tours, Boris J. Miketić from Croatia Travel Agency, Wanda S. Radetti from Visit Croatia - Tasteful Croatian Journeys, Ivica Glavinić from Pan Adriatic Travel Agency and art historian and the first director of the Croatian National Tourist Office in the US, Nena Komarica.
During the ceremonial reception, guests enjoyed the tasting of Croatian food and wine autochthonous products, while klapa songs gave the event a special musical atmosphere.
