'Incredible' increase in Croatia holiday numbers

Demand for Croatia holidays has been soaring this year, official figures suggest.

The national tourism ministry released figures indicating an "incredible" increase in the number of people visiting the country in July.

During the month, some three million travellers arrived in Croatia, five per cent more than in July 2010, reports the Dubrovnik Times.

From January to July, a total of 6.3 million people visited the nation - eight per cent more than last year - while nearly half a million holidaymakers took Adriatic cruises and other sea voyages in the region.

Finance minister Damir Bajs said: "In July alone we have seen an incredible increase of 20 per cent in the number of overnight stays achieved compared to 2010."

August could also prove a popular month for Croatia holidays owing to the range of events taking place, such as the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and the Days of Diocletian festivities in Split.