The latest tourism statistics for Croatia were presented at a meeting of the Tourism Council.

Hotels will be built and reconstructed both in coastal areas and in Zagreb.

Tourism Minister Cappelli says he will not resign due to the tax increase.

The people have spoken: Croatia has been named the winner of Travel + Leisure’s “Destination of the Year” for 2016.

Government’s tax reform plans continue to attract criticism from tourist sector.

Continuing TCN's look at Croatian rural tourism on November 6, 2016, a visit to one of the most successful businesses, located just a short drive from Zagreb - Kezele near Ivanic Grad. 

Having accepted an invitation from the Croatian Rural Tourism Association to visit some of their members and investigate the potential of continental tourism recently, I was not quite sure what to expect during my four-day journey which started in Medjimurje, took in Krizevci, Otrovanec, Baranja and Lonjsko Polje, but by the time I had approached my final destination of the tour, my eyes had been truly opened, and not only had my perceptions of rural tourism been turned on their head, but the warm hospitality and sheer work ethic of everyone I encountered left a lasting impression, as well as the realisation of course that in rural Croatia there is a surprise around every corner. 

And, true to form, we could not go straight to our final goal, Kezele Seoski Turizam near Sumecani, without yet one more fascinating diversion, this time to nearby Ivanic Grad, a town on the commuter belt to the capital, about half an hour south-east of Zagreb. For our timing coincided with the annual Bucijada, or pumpkin festival. I have to hand it to Croatians - they really know how to celebrate what they have, and I doubt any country in the world has as many weird and wonderful food festivals as are celebrated here - here, for example, are just 25 wonderful natural food festivals which take place each year in Croatia. 

There were pumpkins everywhere, in all shapes, sizes and manifestations, but perhaps the nicest moment was talking to this lady, the curator of the new and very small new museum in Ivanic Grad. She has been battling for 20 years to have a museum for the town, and finally this year got her wish. Just two rooms at present, and the exhibition is necessarily small, but there are plans to expand. A nice example of how one can achieve ones goals in Croatia with quiet determination. 

If anyone is planning to write 101 Uses of the Pumpkin, I can recommend at least one use you have not yet come across - pumpkin beer, which I had never come across before. Brewed by some local craft brewers who wanted to mark their home town in their production, the pumpkin beer was (I think) making its world premiere, and there was an obliging pumpkin refugee nearby for selfies. As for the beer, surprisingly drinkable, and not too dissimilar to wheat beer which is such a hit in Germany and elsewhere.  

Having ingested my pumpkin requirements, it was time to move on, and I was more than curious to visit Kezele, a supremely successful business built on quality local products, authentic rural charm, innovation, outstanding customer service and a dedicated hard-working family team. The innovation was on show on soon as we approached, the newest addition rising from the open fields. It was a privilege to meet Croatia's famous straw sculptor, Nikola Faller, who had been commissioned by the Kezele family. The kids were loving it of course, and my initial impression on arrival at Kezele was of a safe, expansive place, where kids could roam free and enjoy the considerable attractions both of nature and the traditional Kezele facilities. 

And just walking to reception gave an indication of what was in store...  

But it was that open space and well-designed complex with plenty of vantage points for parents to relax and supervise at distance which stayed with me, and the reaction of two young madams when I showed them the pictures back home a few days later only confirmed that. I was made to promise I would return soon by my daughters. 

A natural blend of nature, animal life and kids forgetting about the trappings of the modern world. Refreshing.  

And in the expansive grounds, plenty of smaller attractions and details to keep the little ones (and me in the case above) entertained. A rather different approach to skittles, and one which requires a different approach.  

And there were horses... Horseriding is just one of the activities which can be organised. 

And not just horses. 

Nature aside, Kezele had one of the most impressive collection of traditional Croatian artefacts I had come across, from superbly restored and equipped accommodation to some real treasures of the past contained in its buildings. 

Just one example. Any idea what the contraption on the table was used for? 

Wall to wall antiques. 

I joined a tour of fairly boisterous Slovenians - and this was before they had got to the wine tasting - and found out what the machine was used for - an old ironing board! 

This was followed by a demonstration of an old fire alarm. Simply wind it up. 

Wherever I looked, people enjoying themselves. Kezele does as many as 200 meals a day at weekends, as people look to escape Zagreb in search of some nature alternatives, but it did not feel crowded at any point, as there is lots of open space and a variety of activities. Close by, for example, there are bike routes, as well as a nature walk through the forest, complete with lake, one more addition Kezele has made to expand the tourism offer.  

But many had come to eat, and none of them left hungry. 

Great, healthy food, sourced and prepared locally.  

The origins of Kezele rural tourism are in wine. The owner decided that he wanted to start producing wine (wine tasting of the excellent Kezele range is highly recommended by this correspondent). People liked what they tasted. Many came to visit and they wanted something to eat, a need which was catered to. Then some wanted somewhere to sleep, and the seeds of today's business were sewn.  

As with all things I experienced on the trip, all ingredients were local - some of the Kezele vines near the complex.  

One of the things that I liked the most about the trip was the sense of cooperation and cross-promotion that existed between the businesses we encountered. While time was always an issue on our punishing schedule, it was refreshing to have the bigger picture presented with visits to other producers. The indigenous grape variety of the region is Skrlet, which like the Moslavina region in general, is suffering from branding issues as the region is located across four different administrative counties, but rather a nice drop it was too, and I particularly enjoyed a tour and taste of the wines at nearby Vostinic, especially this rather unusual bottle, a sparkling Skrlet - a great way to start the week overlooking the picturesque vineyards of the well-presented estate.  

The accommodation was a throwback in time, but warm and with all the modern conveniences, intelligently combined without compromising the authenticity more than necessary.  

From that tiny vineyard concept, Kezele has expanded its operations in several directions, and it is now a popular destination for team building, business conferences and weddings, for example. It is not hard to see why.  

Loving touches at every turn.  

Combined with fine hospitality and professional service.  

It was certainly the most multi-functional place I had visited on the trip, one capable of handling several groups with different interests simultaneously, without losing the intimate family feel.  

But always with an eye to the needs of the modern tourist. Kezele has a rich tourism offer in terms of tours and activities in the vicinity, as well as useful on-site facilities, such as Next Bike.  

And the innovation and expansion continues apace. One thing I have learned in my time in Dalmatia is that while locals here may not be the most hard-working in the world, if you find a really hard-working local, they work harder than anywhere else in the world. And the impression I got from my short time at Kezele is that here was a family who was working REALLY hard.

Many of the local wooden houses are sadly in a poor state. As I discovered the day before on my visit to Lonjsko Polje. the wooden walls of these magnificent houses were contructed without nails, but simply by interlinking the wooden panels, like a giant LEGO set. As such, it was easier to dissemble, then reassemble and renovate in a new location. The most important thing to remember, of course, is which piece belonged where, hence the red numbering above. 

The latest addition to the Kezele project, a souvenir shop, with the workers working at an extraordinary rate to get the job done. This roof was going up in record time.  

Enough! An outstaning four days, and one which makes me wonder what could be achieved for continental tourism and 365 tourism if more resources and promotion were allocated. I will confess to not eating for a full day at the end of my trip - a fabulous culinary experience to match the natural and traditional wonders I experienced.

Take a tour of Kezele in the video below, and learn more about their offer on their official website (English version) - for a family day out from Zagreb, there cannot be many which surpass it.  

"The Mediterranean as It Once Was" was a hugely successful official marketing slogan which helped bring millions to the Croatian coast, but in recent years, the diversity of Croatian tourism away from the beach and the summer months is being discovered. So, when is the best time to visit Croatia?

Tourism in Croatia has changed a lot in the last ten years, and with the plethora of budget airlines peppering its coastal airports each summer (and increasingly, throughout the lengthening shoulder seasons), one of the biggest changes has been the huge increase of European (and now inter-continental) destinations servicing Croatia's airports, of which more later.

Croatia has much to be grateful for with that famous slogan, and it helped shape the country's tourism as a sexy, sunshine destination after the troubles of the regional conflict. Many people had no idea where Croatia was exactly (somewhere in that Yugoslav mess), but it sure looked good, and the rich offer of pristine water, endless beaches and more than a thousand islands had tourists coming in their droves. 

Croatia is of course one of the best beach and sun destinations in Europe, but with so much more to offer, when is the best time to visit?

The answer depends on what kind of holiday you are looking for, but the good news is that the level of choice has increased considerably, and the country has never been more accessible, a trend which is set to continue. 

From those initial budget flights to Zadar Airport, Ryanair's example has been followed by numerous others, with easyJet now rivalling Croatia Airlines itself for the amount of passengers it transports to and from Croatia. An oft-heard complaint is that there are very few flights out of season, but a casual observation of trends shows that this is a claim which has less validity as the years go by, as airlines mirror the needs of their passengers by gradually extending their seasonal schedules. Both Ryanair and easyJet, for example, are both flying to the coast into November this year. With the season starting earlier and earlier, many airlines are starting their operations in March, much earlier than even two years ago. Ryanair is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Dubrovnik to offer year-round flights, one more annoucement in wiating to follow several Euroean routes to the Pearl of the Adriatic throughout winter 2016/17. There are also various cheaper options from locations in nearby countries which fly throughout the year, such as Venice and Trieste in Italy, and to give an example of affordable prices in late November, I am combining some business in Sarajevo with a flight to the UK later this month with the family. While Tuzla might not have been my preferred destination during the initial planning, it is hard to argue with a price of just £30 each return. I am sure that other airports will be monitoring Dubrovnik's lead and follow suit, and that those original summer schedules, which has now stretched into the shoulder season, will continue to stretch a little more over the next few years. It should also be pointed out that there is a huge catchment area of tourists to Croatia which are not dependent on air transfer. 

Flights are one thing, but without something to offer to guests arriving, there seems little point, and this has been one of the biggest changes in my time here. I used to get seriously depressed walking through the dark alleys of Diocletian's Palace in S[;it in December, a dead zone with nothing open in the evening (indeed, the Australian girls who opened the first hostel there used to take their guests to a bar near the bus station for a night out - only 12 years ago). These days, Split's hoteliers and restaurateurs hardly have any time to catch their breath from the seemingly never ending summer season, before the start one of the best innovations in the city in recent years, Advent in Split, an event which is growing year on year, and which has breathed life not only into the city's late season tourism, but also as a social focal point for locals. This year's Advent in Split will go for an impressive 56 days in all, a delightful time to visit the Dalmatian capital and see its festive riva and Diocletian's Palace truly full of life. Here is an overview of Advent in Split 2015.

Winter in Croatia - an excellent time to visit, and while Split (and several other cities around the country) are all slowly growing their advent offer, nowhere has attracted as much international attention as the capital, with Advent in Zagreb being voted the Best Christmas Market in Europe by the Best European Destinations website. It was the latest success for Croatia's capital, whose tourism has been living in the shadow of its sunnier coastal neighbours for decades, but no longer. There has been an explosion of tourism in the capital, with the succes of Advent in Zagreb now ensuring that this has become Croatia's first 12-month destination. The rise of Zagreb has certainly been helped by a surge in interest from Asia - Japan, China and mainly South Korea - as well as the first inter-continental connections, with Qatar Airways providing year-round connections to the world via Doha 12 times a week, and the first North American direct connection from North America also established with a summer direct flight from Toronto. 

Temperature is obviously a key factor for many in determining when to visit Croatia. For the sun seekers who like it hot, a useful official website monitors the sea temperature every fortnight for the previous year, allowing you to plan your summer bathing, and it goes without saying the summer months attract the hottest temperatures (up to the mid-30s) and the most crowded beaches. The swimming season is generally from May until October (although some hardy souls insist on a swim every day of the year - brrr!), and the beaches are a lot less crowded in June and September. 

The cooler temperatures appeal to many tourists, and two of the nicest months to visit are May and September, where most of the flights are operating (and with cheaper prices), most facilities are open, and the locals have that priceless commodity which all but disappears in the season - time. 

Croatian tourism has seen a huge boom in festival tourism in recent years, and a new generation of tourist has been discovering the magic of Croatia through music. The Garden Festival, Outlook, Ultra Europe and many more have music fans all over the world, with the majority of festivals taking place on the coast from June to early September.

The lengthening season means that more year-round attractions are available for longer each year. Game of Thrones tourism is in its ascendency, and while one might be tempted to visit Kings Landing in the middle of August (more than a million people have already walked the old walls of Dubrovnik), tours of the various GoT locations can be visited throughout the year, an experience arguably more enjoyable in cooler temperatures and with lesser crowds in the peak tourist season.

For Game of Thrones, read wine, heritage and gourmet tourism, activities which arguably operate better out of peak season, and all of which have the potential to boost Croatia's tourism numbers throughout the season. As does another sector of tourism which has yet to realise its true potential in Croatia - adventure tourism. I was a little surprised to bumb into a British rowing gold medallist over morning coffee in Jelsa yesterday, part of a group of British athletes on a team-building weekend on Hvar in mid-November. Cycling, hiking, climbing - all activities available all year and given to cooler temperatures, while Croatia is emerging as an important sailing destination in Europe, with a rich year-round programme and improving facilities.

A word on continental Croatia, which is one of the country's undiscovered tourism jewels. Rather than seasonal tourism dependent on the sunshine and beaches of the coast, the continent for years has been offering longer-season tourism, without understandably attracting the same crowds, but one only has to look around to find destinations which are full of culture and regional richness, ready to host guests 12 months a year. Cities like Varazdin, for example, just 45 minutes from Zagreb, and offering a rich cultural programme such as Spancirfest (August), Varazdin Baroque Evenings (September) and the new Flying Guitars Festival (October). A quick search of what is happening reveals a surprising variety of activities and events throughout the year. A recent TCN visit to distant Baranja in mid-October yielded the sight of a region full of tourists. 

And let's not forget nature. Plitvice Lakes may attract more than a million tourists a year, the bulk of them in the summer months, but is has four defined seasons, and it is a joy to experience whatever time of year. With some 10% of its land protected parks and reserves, Croatia offers 12-month natural beauty according to your seasonal preference.

My favourite time to be in Croatia? Without a doubt, Easter in Jelsa, a magical time where the UNESCO Za Krizen Easter Procession is the highlight of a weekend where the island wakes up from its winter hibernation, bringing extended families together for this important religious weekend, truly a time of joy and inspiration. 

A personal choice. And that is the answer to when is the best time to visit Croatia. It is a destination which has almost everything, and is bursting with potential to offer even more, 12 months a year. When to visit? That depends on you and which part of the Croatian magic you want to experience. 

A restaurateur from Split comments on latest tax changes.

VAT rate for catering services will increase substantially.

Scenes were shot in several locations including the Kopački Rit nature park, with Ana in a fabulous long white dress by the fashion duo Elfs