Rovinj - Croatian record holder in overnight stays

On 5 September 2016, eight days earlier than last year, Rovinj reached a figure of 3,000,000 overnights (+ 5%), and for the seventh consecutive year achieved first place in the number of overnight stays in Croatia. This result was achieved with 479,115 arrivals, which is 8% more than last year. This tourist turnover was achieved with a total capacity of 35,192 beds, of which 54% relates to the capacity of campsites, 29% of private accommodation, 10% of hotels, 6% of tourist resorts, while 1% is the capacity of berths.

Analysis of the main foreign tourism-generating markets showed that the following countries have achieved the largest share in overnight stays:

⦁    Germany    (30%)
•    Austria    (14%)
•    Italy    (12%)
•    Netherlands   (8%)  
•    Slovenia    (5%)

According to the type of accommodation, share in overnight stays was recorded as follows:    
⦁    48% campsites,
⦁    23% private accomodation
⦁    16% hotels
⦁    10% tourist resorts
⦁    3% Other (non-commercial accommodation and nautics)

This year was marked by a significant investment in accommodation facilities, catering facilities and tourist infrastructure, of which the most important is the construction of a family hotel Amarin with 280 accommodation units (560 basic beds), which was opened on 18 August, followed by planning and setting up of new accommodation facilities (mobile homes and renovated pitches) in the Polari and Veštar campsites, renovation of existing and installation of new accommodation and complementary facilities in Valalta, and investments to increase accommodation capacities in private accommodation.
Various joint promotional activities of the Croatian Tourist Board, Istria Tourist Board, Tourist Board of the Town of Rovinj-Rovigno and local tourist companies were carried out in the source markets and numerous visits of tourist journalists, bloggers, study groups and television crews were organized, which resulted in a visit of 37 media companies with 162 journalists at our destination.
Activities through the website and social networks of the Tourist Board of the Town of Rovinj- Rovigno (Facebook @rovinjtouristboard, Twitter @rovinj_official, and Instagram @lovelyrovinj), have resulted in large-users and significant promotion of the events, segmented tourism products of the destination as well as natural beauty and cultural attractions.
Great promotion of our destination was obtained by the continuation of a promotional campaign ‘Share Istria’ which has been advertised on social networks by the Istria Tourist Board for the second consecutive year for influencers, opinion leaders, bloggers, travel writers and authors in social networks that have more than 5,000 fans or followers. Selected teams stayed in Istria and during their stay they published their posts and content on social networks, describing the beauty of the destination, their experiences and emotions, and one of their favourites was our destination.
New prestigious recognitions by the international media continued for Rovinj. So the Valalta campsite again this year received ‘ADAC/ANWB Best Campsite 2016’ award as one of the best campsites in Europe, Maistra’s hotel Adriatic appeared in the prestigious list of the British The Guardian as one of the best and most accessible European boutique hotel, and has also received the prestigious award ‘Loved by Guests 2016’, awarded by one of the top online hotel booking websites, Hotels.com, for the hotel best rated by guests. Mulini Beach bar has been ranked in this year"s Gold List of eight top beach clubs, recently published by the most prestigious travel magazine ‘Condé Nast Traveler’.

Events

Besides investing in the improvement of the quality of the offer and promotional activities tourist-generating markets, large contribution to the tourist turnout was made by a number of events and happenings such as:

⦁    New Year"s Eve - a three-day program (1 January)                  
⦁    Holidays at the House of Batana (6 January)
⦁    Antonja (23 January)
⦁    15th International Spearfishing Cup (27 February)               
⦁    Tennis tournament ‘Istrian Riviera’ (27 February – 06 March)
⦁    Music lesson (cycle, start on 9 March)
⦁    International football and handball tournament ‘Power of children on the move’ (23 – 26 March)
⦁    Easter program (26 - 27 March)
⦁    On the paths of Rovinj delicacies (2 - 9 April)
⦁    14th Exhibition of German Shepherd dogs (3 April)
⦁    Regatta Rovinj-Chioggia-Rovinj (21- 24 April)
⦁    Popolana (22-24 April)
⦁    Etnofilm8 (28-30 April)
⦁    Regatta Rovinj-Pesaro-Rovinj (28 April – 2 May)
⦁    Program on the occasion of Labor"s Day (1 May)
⦁    FAKS sings– Festival of Amateur Cultural Creation (6 May)
⦁    Rovinj Photodays (6- 8 May)
⦁    13th International rally ‘Histria classic’ (13 – 15 May)
⦁    2nd Rovinj Karate Cup (17 May)
⦁    Rovinj Beach Polo (12 – 15 May)
⦁    Rovinj Spring Jazz festival (18 – 20 May)
⦁    Apnea academy (30 May-1 June)
⦁    International Poetry Festival - The sea in the palm of your hand (28 May)
⦁    Porsche parade (4 June)
⦁    Faks sings (10 June)
⦁    Rovinj Jazz festival (cycle, start on 2 May)
⦁    Regatta of lug-sail boats (12 June)
⦁    Evening inspired by Rovinj tradition, cycle (start on 15 June)
⦁    ‘Baromus’— baroque music festival, cycle (start on 20 June)
⦁    Summer Sensual Days (22 – 27 June)
⦁    International Handball Camp (11 June – 2 July)
⦁    Batana Boat Parade and a dinner at the Spacio - cycle (start on 28 June)
⦁    Salsa Festival (27 June — 4 July)
⦁    Evening of fishing tradition (10 July)
⦁    Sete Sois Sete Luas —Mediterranean music festival (13 and 14 July)
⦁    Rovinj Summer Festival - classical music concerts, cycle (start on 17.July)
⦁    St. Lawrence"s Night (13 August)
⦁    Grisia (14 August)
⦁    Rovinj Night (27 and 28 August)

and by the end of the year there will be many more events that will help to swell the number of visits to our destination.
Following recent results and the announcements of tourist arrivals, it is likely that Rovinj will again this year, for the seventh consecutive time, record the highest number of overnight stays in Croatia (approximately 3.38 million), which is 4% more than last year.