December 18, 2020 – The popular French travel show "Echappées Belles", or "Beautiful Escapades", dedicated one episode entirely to Croatian beauties.

The Croatian National Tourist Board reported that the show "Echappées Belles" dedicated to Croatia was broadcast in primetime on the French state television station France 5.

Danijela Mihalić Đurica, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in France, said that the popular show "Echappées Belles" will significantly help maintain Croatia's visibility in the French market, given that more than 1.5 million viewers watch the show. Positive promotional effects are expected at the time of the resumption of sales and reservations.

"Namely, due to the epidemiological situation this year, many French people spent holidays at home, which is why it is expected that next tourist season they will travel mostly to close, accessible, and safe destinations. Therefore, we believe that Croatia will take one of the leading positions in the French market," said the director.

This travel episode about Croatia was created due to a collaboration between the French television station France 5 and the Croatian Tourist Board, with the support of the tourist board system. The show shows famous tourist destinations, revealing to viewers unknown facts about the local population's lives and customs.

This time, the show presented Istria and the islands of Pag and Cres as locations of incredible natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, emphasizing gastronomic potential and exceptional hospitality.

An article about Mljet, Hvar, and Korčula, published by one of the most influential French women magazines "Femme Actuelle" confirmed that Croatia is positioned on the French market as a fascinating and attractive tourist destination. The magazine, which has a circulation of half a million copies, is followed by more than three million readers. The author of the article is the renowned French journalist Thierry Lacour, who emphasized that he is fascinated by Mljet's natural beauties, the urbanism of Korčula, the scents of Hvar's lavender, and the impressive vineyards.

"In a country with more than a thousand islands, diversity is constant, and Mljet, Hvar, and Korčula are a concentration of the best that Croatia has to offer, preserved nature, as well as an abundance of historical heritage," said Lacour.

However, the French media have previously highlighted Croatia as a top destination. "Echappées Belles" presented Croatian tourist offer back in June 2017, as well as Istria last summer, when the popular French show "Cuisine Impossible" on French TV channel TF1 also promoted Slavonia and Croatian islands. Other French media also wrote about Croatia, including the prestigious French weekly magazine Le Figaro, which dedicated many pages to Sinj Alka.

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July 15, 2020 - Croatia is among the most sought-after foreign tourist destinations on the French market, according to MisterFly, one of the largest French online distributors specializing in airline ticket sales, car rental and hotel accommodation.

"Numerous inquiries from the general and professional public that come to us every day are proof that the image of Croatia in France is still very good. Croatia ranks well on the list of countries that are definitely worth a visit due to their exceptional natural beauty, hospitality and favorable epidemiological situation," said Danijela Mihalic Durica, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board Representation in France, on HRTurizam, emphasizing that there is already a noticeable trend of increasing bookings for next year, given that many French travel organizers have provided their clients with free booking delays, as well as the announcement of new airlines from the French market for the postseason.

Namely, according to the new flight plan for September and October, Air France from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport announced flights to Dubrovnik and Zagreb.

By the end of September, Air France plans to establish 50 percent of its normal flight program, and 60 percent by the end of October.

"France is one of the markets from which we expect a larger influx of guests in this main summer part of the season, especially in August when the French traditionally use the most holidays, especially in the traditionally most popular regions for the French, Dubrovnik and Split," said Croatian National Tourist Board director Kristjan Stanicic.

A larger influx of guests is also expected from the UK market.

In its article entitled "Croatia this summer: three areas to visit without the crowds", the British Guardian states that Croatia opened for tourists in May and that due to the lack of crowds, 2020 is ideal for a relaxing holiday with an emphasis on the Dalmatian islands of Lastovo, Mljet and Kornati, national parks Northern Velebit, Paklenica and Risnjak, while Lonjsko polje and Konavle Nature Park were also singled out.

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