Croatia makes tourism trade-off with upcoming EU membership
Skift Take
EU membership will open Croatia’s borders to European residents, but also increase visa hassles for tourists from Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Its impact can already be felt with tourism from those markets already dropping 15 percent.
Croatia's azure Adriatic coastline dotted with over a thousand verdant islands has already won the nation a spot on the world tourist map and hopes are high that July's EU entry will boost the sector and provide a much needed shot in the arm to the struggling economy.
"EU entry will certainly improve Croatia's image as a tourist destination and might even bring an investment surge," said Goran Hrnic, chief executive of the Gulliver Travel agency...
But EU membership might have some negative impact as Croatia has had to introduce visas for tourists from Russia, Ukraine and Turkey to comply with the bloc's rules.
Up Next
Airlines
How Airlines are Redefining Premium Travel with Customizable and Personalized Experiences
As the airline industry adapts to evolving traveler expectations, premium cabins coupled with personalized experiences have become essential tools for driving loyalty and revenue. Airlines are turning to digital innovation and sustainable practices to redefine the premium travel experience and meet the needs of diverse customers.
Sponsored 
Hotels
Coldplay and Weddings to Drive Growth at Indian Hotels Co.
With foreign tourists yet to return, domestic business and leisure travel is fueling IHCL's growth. And anciliary businesses are diversifying its revenue streams.
Startups
Flying Taxis and Loyalty Tech: 6 Travel Startups Raise $100 Million
It's a slow start to the year, but travel startup funding is sure to pick up.
Tourism
New Budget, Same Old Demands: Will The Indian Travel Sector Finally Be Heard?
Despite tourism's contribution to the Indian economy, the allocations and incentives in recent budgets have done little to foster the sector's growth.
Airlines
Trump May Again Pull Out of the Paris Climate Agreement: What Travel Businesses Say
If the world’s second largest polluter walks away from the Paris agreement, it would be a another blow to the global fight to reduce emissions.