Owing to the long weekend based on International Labour Day, the Istrian gem saw some 14.000 tourists in the last couple of days
Some 14.000 tourists flocked to the Istrian town of Rovinj on International Labour Day, generating some 46.000 overnight stays over the long weekend. Compared to the same period last year, the figures make for a 40 percent increase in guests and overnight stays, reports Glas Istre on May 2, 2018.
It was Croatia's neighbours who made up the largest part of said arrivals. The biggest number of visitors arrived to Rovinj from Slovenia, followed by tourists from Italy, Austria, and Germany.
The massive inflow of guests was noticeable at every corner of this charming town: café terraces and restaurants were filled to the brim, galleries and souvenir shops packed with customers. Rovinj was abuzz with life, making for an image we usually associate with peak season and not the middle of spring. Finding a parking space anywhere in the city was a more challenging feat than usual, with traffic in the centre of Rovinj slowed down due to the sudden crowd.
According to Odeta Sapač, the director of Rovinj Tourist Board, this continuity of arrivals will carry on at the same pace in the coming weeks. "Compared with last year which was a record one, Rovinj recorded a 20 percent increase in arrivals and overnight stays in the first four months [of 2018]. Now there are the excellent results generated by the holidays of May 1. The generated increase of 40 percent in overnight stays and arrivals is an excellent prediction for the upcoming tourist season", said Sapač.
Owing to religious holidays at the end of this month, Rovinj Tourist Board is expecting another considerable inflow of visitors, meaning there won't be any so-called 'tourism holes' in the first stage of this coming season. All things considered, it's safe to assume this Istrian gem will exceed last year's impressive results.
