Minister of Tourism Gari Cappelli stated on Friday that Rijeka became an urban tourism centre and that its progress will be sped up by the European Capital of Culture 2020 project (ECC), for which the government will procure funds and other ways of support, reported Lokalni on September 22, 2017.
Cappelli visited Rijeka to attend the opening of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which recently moved to a new location, the former factory Rikard Benčić. The minister emphasized that Rijeka became a recognisable destination in recent years, not only during the carnival but throughout the year – and the numbers are there to prove it. "Rijeka generated 20% more arrivals and 30% more overnight stays than last year, proving that guests don't just pass through Rijeka and don't only consider it to be a future capital of culture. They stay in Rijeka longer, in hotels or in private accommodation that's expanding rapidly", said minister Cappelli.
He added the city definitely made a breakthrough, and called Rijeka a place where urban tourism is now developing just as it did in Split and Zagreb. The ECC project is sure to contribute to that process, one to be helped by the government to ensure further growth and destination branding. Cappelli stated it's been agreed for the Croatian National Tourist Board to promote Rijeka at all future manifestations such as tourism fairs, both in Croatia and abroad.
Capelli met with Rijeka Mayor Vojko Obersnel, head of the Department of Culture of the City of Rijeka Ivan Šarar, director of the Tourist Board Rijeka Petar Škarpa, and head of the agency 'Rijeka 2020' Emina Višnić.
Obersnel stated they discussed the development of tourism in Rijeka, and that the minister was introduced to the concept of the EEC project. They have agreed the Ministry of Tourism will participate in the part of the project dedicated to promoting Croatia and ECC on the international market. "We defined future collaboration with the CNTB and discussed how to deal with issues related to construction of new tourist facilities in Rijeka, mostly in the zone of Preluk and the former shipyard in Kantrida [neighbourhood]", Obersnel said.
Photo credit: Rijeka 2020 - Port of Diversity Facebook
