THE NEW STAR OF WORLD TOURISM
By Zdenko Jurilj

A series of flattering reports appearing in the media depicting Croatia as ˝the new Riviera of the World˝, ˝A Miracle of Nature˝, and a ˝Mediterranean Paradise˝, have captured the attention of the world’s jet-setters. David Wickers, a British travel journalist, writes that Croatia has become the new star of world tourism. Wickers does not hide his enthusiasm for the tourism potential of Croatia, which is, as he says, ˝A unique combination of natural beauty, culture, history, and inexpensive food.˝ Wickers also points out that it is a favourite destination of the rich and famous. He placed Croatia in the elite league, just after Antigua and Caicos islands in the Caribbean sea, and in front of Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, China and Australia.

The celebrities

Millions of people, including many celebrities, choose to spend their summer vacations on the Croatian Adriatic. People not only find the Adriatic attractive they also enjoy Gorski Kotar, the mountainous island of Croatia. Michael Schumacher, retired driver of Formula One racing, was in Dubrovnik and on the island of Hvar, one of the most beautiful in the Croatian Adriatic. Ralf Schumacher, his 27-year-old younger brother, enjoys bear hunting in Vrbovsko and Čabar, in the racing off-season.

Formula One owner, Bernie Ecclestone, his wife Slavica, a Croat by origin, enjoy Hvar also. The two often make a pilgrimage to Međugorje while visiting Croatia.

The captain of Chelsea football club, John Terry, on honeymoon after his wedding to new wife Toni Poole, found it hard to avoid the press corps.

The Adriatic attracts cultural elite, like well-known Czech writer, Michal Vieweg. This popular writer has Croatia very close to his heart, and spent his honeymoon on the Adriatic. He is the author of bestsellers Education of the Girls in Czech Republic and The Splendid Tricky Years.

Fashion designer, Luciano Benetton, and Caroline of Monaco spent summer days at the seacoast. The clear Croatian coast lured many from the world of finance, show business, politics, and film. Besides the Slovakian beer king, Karl Kinarik, there was also the film director, Steven Spielberg; the Belgian king and queen, Albert and Paola, were seen walking arm in arm down the central Dubrovnik street, Stradun. Martin Sheen and his daughter, Renée, were also seen in this stone pearl of Croatia, as well as Brazilian soap star, Thiago Lacerda. Another frequent guest of Dubrovnik is the noblewoman Francesca von Habsburg.

The full article can be found on pages 76-78 of Vol 3
2007 issue.