The industry could open additional 2,000 jobs.
Croatia's Member of European Parliament Ruža Tomašić, in cooperation with the Municipality of Vela Luka and the LAG 5 local action group, organised the first international conference on health and wellness tourism on the islands, reports Jutarnji List on May 21, 2018.
The two-day conference was held in Vela Luka on the island of Korčula. The perspectives for expansion of this kind of tourist offer on the Croatian islands was discussed by Croatian and international experts, representatives of three ministries (Tourism, Health and Regional Development) and guests from the European Commission.
In her introductory speech, Tomašić emphasised she was motivated to organise the conference by the fact that she lives on the island of Korčula. “Islands cannot rely just on fishing, agriculture and summer seasonal tourism. Health and wellness tourism is a logical choice because it offers the possibility for extending the tourist season and attracting significant investments, while not compromising the environment we want to protect,” she said.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Frano Matušić commented on statistical data and added there was room for significant growth. “Croatia generates 400 million euro in revenues from health tourism, but there is potential for at least one billion euro in revenues. What also matters to us is new jobs,” he said, adding there would be further legislative changes this year.
“In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, we are working on amendments to existing laws that will, among other issues, provide the legal basis for the faster development of health tourism. In this context, conferences such as this are of great help,” Matušić concluded.
Special Adviser to Health Minister Mate Car said that the ministry was monitoring the situation and recognising the possibilities, but could not do it alone. He underlined the importance of the European Union's Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) for which Roža Tomašić is the chief rapporteur in the European Parliament.
Translated from Jutarnji List (reported by Goran Penić).
