CAMPS

INTRODUCTION

Croatia was discovered by campers during the early beginnings of camping in Europe. Even when a visit to the Adriatic was a true adventure, when it took nearly 24 hours to travel with a caravan from Western Europe to the first island, campers have been coming to Croatia, increasing in numbers every year…and it has remained so to this present day.

Why?

We believe that the following are the main reasons why campers come to Croatia:

Ø Unique and preserved nature: 8 National Parks, Nature Parks, Nature reserves and protected areas, impressive landscapes

Ø Mild Mediterranean climate: pleasant, warm summers and mild springs and autumn

Ø Amazing world of islands and beautiful sea: 1,185 islands, pebbly beaches, an opportunity to try all water sports and enjoy the sea which is ideal for swimming, without big waves and sea tides.

Ø Coast: 1,777 km of beautiful and indented coastline with coves, beaches, pine forests and perfect small coastal towns

Ø Unique landscape: mountains, rivers, forests, lakes, streams, flatlands, marshlands

Ø A return to health in preserved nature: Camping in nature and playing sports for campers is a true return to healthy and pleasurable way of living

Ø Croatia is a true camping destination: Nearly a third of visitors coming to Croatia are campers, the camps of Croatia are diverse and friendly, in the best locations along the sea-coast and offer freedom and true contact with nature.

Ø Croatia is heaven for naturists: The longest naturist tradition in Europe, well equipped camps and settlements, safety, quality, tradition,

Ø Flora and fauna – Croatia has an extraordinary abundance and diversity, including many endemic varieties (ornithological reserves, a rich underwater world, hunting and fishing)

Ø Cultural heritage – 6 Croatian localities on the UNESCO World Heritage List; beautiful Mediterranean towns, monuments, museums, collections. Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir, Poreč, Pula…

Ø Flavours of the Mediterranean – Healthy diet dominated by fish, olive oil, vegetables, fine wines…

Ø Croatia is so close: Accessible from throughout Europe within a days drive and after the construction of new highways it is even closer. Airports – of which 7 are on the coast…

CAMPING IN CROATIA

There are two instincts that lead people to camping: the desire for freedom and a return to nature. Croatia, as a country of high safety, stunning natural surroundings and numerous camps, ideally fulfils these wishes!

Croatia has over 925,000 beds available in tourist accommodation facilities, up 2% from last year. 24.3% of them are in camps, which are recording the highest rate of growth in accommodation capacity (4%). There are 520 registered camps, of which 288 fall into the mini-camp category (lodgings in households). The total accommodation capacity of the camps is 225,305 persons.

The distribution of camp accommodation capacities in the Croatian tourism regions is as follows:

- Istra: 51%

- Kvarner and the Highlands: 21%

- Dalmatia: 27%

- Inland Croatia: 1%

In Croatian camps most of the camping is done with personal equipment, but there are camps at which it is possible to rent camp trailers, bungalows and mobile homes.

The following are available:

- At 14 camps – tent rentals (879 units)

- At 26 camps – camp trailer rentals (490 units)

- At 24 camps – mobile home and bungalow rentals (1,857 units)

Most camps are open from May to October but there are a large number of camps that are open year-round. Camps that are open year-round must provide the necessary amenities (heated sanitary facilities, living areas and so forth). The following camps are open year-round:

- Bi village, Fažana

- Šimuni, Pag

- Kito, Bol

- Mlaska Sućuraj

- Vrela Pelješac

- Liberan Viganj

- Vrila Trpanj

- Palme Kućište

The working period of camps is provided on the CNTB Price List.

Camps vary in size from large camp-settlements, like real towns with various kinds of infrastructure and free-time content, to a large number of small camps of which there are some 300, mostly in Dalmatia, situated in the gardens and yards of private owners.

With the growing number of small camps, mostly in private ownership, the Croatian Camping Union (KUH) has, with the help of the CNTB and many of the County Tourist Boards, created a brochure with an overview of all small camps (up to 50 accommodation units) by region.

TURNOVER IN TOURISM

Croatia recorded 52,647,828 overnight stays in the first 11 months of 2005. Of that figure, 12,903,634 overnight stays were in camps, i.e. 24.3% of total overnight stays in Croatia.

The distribution of overnight stays in camps by tourism regions:

- Istra 54%

- Kvarner and the Highlands 23%

- Dalmatia 22%

- Inland Croatia 1%

Visitors to Croatian camps are predominantly foreign tourists (about 97%) with the majority coming from 6 countries: Germany (32%), Slovenia (15%), The Netherlands (10%), Italy (10%), Austria (9%) and the Czech Republic (6%)

Most campers come to Croatia in individual arrangements (94%) without having made reservations ahead of their arrival, but this is, thanks to the Internet, quickly changing.

BEACHES

98% of all camps are situated on the seashore, near tourist center and usually in stunning natural surroundings.

Croatia has 1,777 km of mainland shoreline, but if the islands are included this figure climbs to a fantastic 5,835 km. Here, everyone can find "their own" beach to fit their personal preference: pebbly, sandy, stone; small or big; tended or "wild". They have only the cleanliness of the sea, the pleasant climate and the unbelievable blue of the Croatian Adriatic surrounded by the pines and greenery of Mediterranean vegetation in common.

At Croatian camps special attention is paid to preserving the environment. Over 50 beaches received the prestigious "Blue Flag" in 2005, an international symbol of quality for:

- A preserved environment

- A clean sea and beach front

- Well-tended beaches

- A high quality of services

NUDISM – A CROATIAN CAMPING TRADITION

Some tourism statisticians estimate that 15% of all visitors to Croatia swim in the nude, i.e. that one fifth of our visitors come to Croatia for the nudism, i.e. the tolerance for swimming in the nude on Croatian beaches. Nudism is a way of life that nurtures the body, and sports and the nurturing of good health play an important role and are receiving more attention nowadays than ever before.

Croatia is the third nation in Europe by nudist camp accommodation capacity, and its Koversada is the first commercial nudist camp in Europe. There are a total of 13 camps at the most attractive locations, with an accommodation capacity of over 28,000 persons, i.e. 12.5% of the total capacity. 7 camps with an accommodation capacity of almost 23,000 persons are situated in Istra, 3 camps with a total capacity of 4,750 persons in the Kvarner and 2 camps with a capacity of 620 persons in Dalmatia. There are many mixed camps, i.e. those with reserved beaches for nudists. Their common characteristics are safety, high standards, beautiful surroundings and tranquillity.

THE CATEGORIZATION OF CAMPS IN CROATIA

Croatian camps are categorized with from 1 to 4 star ratings. The standards are similar to those in the rest of Europe.

A new Ordinance on Categorization has been created with the aim of upgrading the standard of camps, according to which camps will be rated with from 2 to 5 stars. The implementation of the new Ordinance will lead to an entire wave of new investments, which will still further improve standards at Croatian camps. Last year, for example, the accommodation capacity in 4* camps grew by 230%, in 3* camps by 1% and in 2* camps by 6%, while capacity in 1* camps dropped by 22%.

The current structure of Croatian camps is as follows:

- 4**** 9%

- 3*** 42%

- 2** 27%

- 1* 22%

That it pays to invest in the camping offer is testified to by the numerous recognitions received by our camps.

In the latest issue of the highest-circulation German and global camping guide (over a million users), the ADACCAMPING CARAVANING FUEHRER 2007, Croatia has 7 yellow plaques, which designate exceptional results in the previous year, received by these camps:

- Kanegra nudist camp, Umag

- Stella Maris camp, Umag

- Finida camp, Umag

- Park Umag camp, Umag

- Poljana camp, Mali Lošinj

- Zaton camp, Zaton

- Nevio camp, Orebić

While the Zaton camp was awarded a red plaque, i.e. the "Super Platz" designation, the highest recognition awarded to camps by ADAC based on its criteria. There are only 71 camps bearing this recognition in all of Europe.

The Dutch ''Kampeer & Caravan Kampionen'' monthly magazine and a Camping Guide, both published by the Dutch automobile club ANWB (Algemene Nederlandse Wielrijders Bond), proclaimed the Park Umag camp to be the camp of the year in 2007, ranking it among the top 5 camping destination in Europe in the coming year!

TO CONCLUDE:

Croatian camps are characterized by:

- Stunning and preserved natural surroundings, a pleasant climate and a clean sea,

- Accommodation in green surroundings in the direct vicinity of the sea,

- Various activities on offer for all market niches (families with children, seniors, youth),

- A variety of both size and facilities in camps: from real camp-towns in Istra to small private camps in a family garden in Dalmatia,

- Quick adaptability to new trends,

- True value for your money.

Croatia is on the right path to the development of the best camping product in the Mediterranean.