EVIDENCE LOG 3 – Changing visitor trends
Look at the data contained in the table below and then answer the questions found on the Evidence Log independently / in your groups:
| Year | Croatia – Visitor Numbers | Dubrovnik – Visitor Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7.6m | 228,000 |
| 2007 | 10.8m | 507,000 |
| 2011 | 11.2m | 631,000 |
Facts & Figures:
• 2012 is expected to be the best year in Croatia’s history for tourism. Figures show nearly 10m visits in the first 8 months, 59m overnight stays, up 5.6%, and arrivals up 4.2%. Income from tourism is expected to be nearly £1bn.
• UK visitors are expected to reach 300,000 in Croatia in 2012. The record was 500,000 before the war in the early 1990s.
• Investment in Croatian tourism is expected to double in 2013. £350m is the target figure from public and private investment.
• The number of daily flights into Croatia has increased by 11% in 2012.
• In December 2011 Dubrovnik saw a 20% increase in visitors from 2010. Given the push to promote the city of Dubrovnik as a year-round destination, this increase is a big step in the right direction.
• Since 2000 the number of tourist arrivals to Dubrovnik has increased from 200,000 to 500,000 in 2012.
• For the same period the overnight stays have increased from 1m to 2m.
• Dubrovnik has seen a 18% growth in visitor numbers each year while Croatia has been around 6%.
• International tourist’s average length of stay on is 4.8 nights. This is high compared to many cities. E.g. London’s figure is 3.1.
• The majority of international tourists come from Germany, Italy and Slovenia.
Evidence Log 4 – Dubrovnik – An ‘elite tourism’ destination?Using the information below for support if required, suggest one advantage and one disadvantage to Dubrovnik in promoting itself as an ‘elite tourism’ destination. Record your opinions on the Evidence Log.
The Current Situation
Elite tourism – the city is promoting itself as a holiday destination for the rich and famous. This is part of its aim to attract more visitors from the socio-economic groups A to C rather than groups D to E. The city actively approaches the rich and famous to cooperate in the promotion of the city as an elite destination. Such famous people have included Roman Abramovich, Tom Cruise, Roger Moore, Tina Turner and Fatboy Slim. These stars are highlighted in the Dubrovnik Times, a free English newspaper aimed at tourists visiting the city. International film festivals and the filming of the Game of Thrones in the city have supported the Dubrovnik government’s aim and attracted even more of the rich and famous. The discouragement of hen and stag parties is a further indication of the type of tourist Dubrovnik is trying to attract. Dubrovnik is seeking, like many historic cities, discerning, high spending staying leisure visitors.
Hotel capacity – there are currently around 16000 beds available to tourists – this includes hotels, hostels, camp sites and private accommodation (B&B, guest houses, cottages, apartments and rooms). The regional government of Dubrovnik is actively persuading hotels and private investors to build new accommodation / beds. However, it is also discouraging international chain hotels and not allowing high-rise developments as it wants to avoid leakage and blots on the landscape. The government does not want the country to experience the negative impacts of mass tourism found in areas of Spain. The government is also encouraging families to provide rooms for tourists so that they can benefit financially and by keeping money in Dubrovnik.
Seasonality - Dubrovnik’s key slogan is ‘A is city for all seasons’. The Dubrovnik government would like to see the tourist season extended as it has a mild climate which would attract tourists throughout the year as well as providing more permanent jobs and a constant flow of money into the city. It might also alleviate the overcrowding experienced in the summer months. This would help raise the standard of living for the local people and reduce the negative impacts of seasonality. The Dubrovnik Tourist Board has also introduced the ‘Winter Card’. This offers a program of cultural events, free entrances to heritage attractions as well as discount vouchers for other attractions and restaurants. Nearly 100 local businesses are supporting this initiative. This offer is available to tourists who stay for 2 nights or more in the winter period.
Full ScreenEVIDENCE LOG 5: Dubrovnik’s Climate
A – Which two months in Dubrovnik have the hottest temperature?
B –Which is the coldest month in Dubrovnik?
C – Calculate the difference in rainfall between the wettest and driest months in Dubrovnik.
D – Dubrovnik is described as an all year round holiday destination. Explain whether you think this statement is true or not.
Travel and Tourism Developments
Dubrovnik has many travel and tourism developments, many of which are on a small scale. The following are the current major developments:
• The provision of more beds by the regeneration of hotels damaged during the war in the early 1990s and more private rooms.
• The completion of a motorway between Dubrovnik and Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. This will increase both domestic and international tourism as many inbound tourists arrive at Zagreb airport.
• Financial support in the form of grants and loans for accommodation providers and other tourism entrepreneurs.
• The reconstruction of the port at a cost of over £400m. This will improve facilities for cruise liners, private yachts, ferries and nautical tourism.
• The building of a conference centre.
• The building of new shopping facilities.
• The increasing of low-cost airline provision from around Europe.
• The development of education tourism with the provision of a new 5,000 capacity campus for both domestic and international students.
• The construction of a new Hydro-electric Power station and reservoir to ensure the supply of electricity and water in view of Dubrovnik’s rising population and increasing demand from tourists.
EVIDENCE LOG 6: Travel and Tourism DevelopmentsOnce you have read the above developments, complete the questions on the Evidence Log.