July 29, 2020 - While the last two months of tourist figures show a significant decline in the number of guests compared to the previous year, Viganj on Peljesac can boast excellent results - and there are currently more guests there now than last year!
Index.hr reports that this small windsurfing paradise with only 300 inhabitants in Croatia's extreme south has recorded extraordinary numbers for the last ten days.
"On July 25, we had 1450 registered guests, and last year we had 1305 on that day, so 10 percent less. In the last ten days, Viganj has more guests than last year," said Marko Galiot from the Orebic Tourist Board, whose municipality belongs to the town, otherwise a famous paradise for surfers.
And it was the windsurfing championship held last weekend that attracted an additional number of guests. Among the tourists who chose Viganj for their vacation, Slovenes take the lead (40 percent), followed by the Czechs and Germans, and this year, due to the overall situation, says Galiot, the Brits are absent.
"Viganj has its old guests, the entire town is actually one big beach plus it has two cult places. Čiringito - a restaurant on the beach that stands out from the classic restaurants and K2, a cocktail bar. Viganj has its old guests; there are two schools for surfers that attract a large number of people. It also has two outdoor fitness centers, they also have a surf equipment store, and windsurfing competitions are organized there every year. Last week the championship was held, so that additionally attracted the Czechs," Galiot said.
He says that the associations supported by the Tourist Board are responsible for the promotion of Viganj as a surfing destination. And another big plus near Viganj this year? Camps.
"Viganj has two large camps that are completely full. Now during the pandemic, tourists like to camp the most, they feel safe there, they are outdoors, they have a lot of places for social distancing," Galiot said.
By the way, Viganj boasts only three hundred inhabitants, and their guests are mostly active recreational athletes. Even when there is no wind for windsurfing, guests go hiking, biking, and there are plenty of paragliders descending from the hill above Viganj.
Galiot points out that Viganj has already reached 82 percent of last year's turnover, which, he says, is extraordinary.
"There were no guests in April and May as usual, but they started coming around June 10, and most of them have been there for the last ten days," Galiot said.
For comparison, the municipality of Orebic has weaker results than Viganj and they are now at about 50 percent of last year's turnover. According to Galiot, two hotels in Orebic did not open this year, and in general, other hotels and private accommodation in Orebic are doing worse than in previous years.
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