Today, the Head Office of the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) held the 7th meeting of the Tourism Council in which, among other things, members of the Council have adopted an annual work program and financial plan for the Croatian Tourist Board for 2017.
The session was led for the first time by Minister of Tourism Gari Cappelli, with director of the General Office of HTZ Ratomir Ivičić and members of the Tourism Council presenting the report on the realization of the work program for the Croatian National Tourist Board; including a report on the financial performance for the first nine months of 2016, and the proposal and amendment for the annual work program and financial plan for 2016, reports HRTurizam.
Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli suggested that the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service be secured support in the amount of 200,000 HRK in 2017 due to their activities, with this year making a significant contribution to the perception of Croatia as a safe tourist destination - an important part of Croatian tourism. Minister Cappelli also announced additional funds for 2017 for the promotion of health tourism, an effort which can significantly affect the extension of the season.
Director Ivičić stressed the importance of the adopted documents with an emphasis on the annual work program and financial plan of the Croatian Tourist Board for 2017. As he said, this is a document that is directed towards the realization of the fundamental objectives established by the Tourism Development Strategy until 2020 and focuses on the implementation of major operational plans outlined in the Strategic Marketing Plan for Croatian tourism.
"In 2017, we plan to reduce the total revenue of the Croatian Tourist Board by 1 percent compared to the plan for 2016, but we expect higher revenues from tourist tax and tourist membership fees," said Director Ivičić, adding that in 2017 he predicts total expenditures of the Croatian Tourist Board in the amount of 259,112,500.00 HRK.
Members of the Tourism Council also reported on the work program for the Croatian National Tourist Board for the first nine months of 2016, and in that period HTZ activities took place in accordance with the work program and financial plan for 2016, as well as in accordance to the decisions of the Tourism Council. Observed financially, in the first nine months of 2016, HTZ generated revenues in the amount of 211,547,395.00 HRK or 81 percent of the planned revenues for 2016. Total expenses were realized in the amount of 145,013,710.00 HRK or 55 percent of planned revenues.
In addition, they adopted a rebalanced annual work program and financial plan for 2016 because they achieved certain financial savings on individual activities, which were partly allocated to additional promotional activities for the implementation of key strategic plans, annual work programs, and financial plans for 2016. An additional part will be transferred in 2017 to settle contractual and (or) realized commitments from 2016.
The Tourism Council adopted the draft decision of the Commission for joint advertising, according to which the total amount of approved funds amounts to 34,126,771.30 HRK with VAT included. The model and public calls for joint advertising in the promotional campaigns of the public and private sector for 2017 were earmarked at 21,180,488.12 HRK, 7,252,149.06 HRK for model II, and 5,694,134.12 HRK for model III.
Members of the Tourism Council also presented the status of the project "Croatia 365 Gourmet" and future activities for the project. "Croatia 365 Gourmet" is a national digital platform that promotes local foods and wines. The platform has been active since 22 July 2016, with a current total of 134 sub-pages: 72 restaurant subpages (by the end of the year there will be 100), 22 sub-pages of winemakers, 9 subpages of oil producers and 31 sub-pages of food. Restaurants are selected in cooperation with the county tourist boards, after which it is possible for visitors to suggest restaurants, with the possibility of unsolicited applications from restaurants. The page is visited by more than 35,000 unique visitors, with more than 72,000 pageviews.
