Croatian Tourism Day was formally celebrated in Japan

The celebration was attended by Croatian Ambassador Drago Štambuk who, in his speech addressed to the people present, described the beauty and potential of Croatia’s tourism offer, emphasising the extraordinary combination and balance between the nature, heritage, healthy food and the Croatian hospitality. He also indicated that the number of Japanese tourists in our country has been growing continuously, and in the last four years it has increased fivefold. In 2009, around 165,000 Japanese tourists visited Croatia, accounting for an increase of 14% compared to the previous year.

Ambassador Štambuk invited the attendees, among whom there were numerous politicians, ambassadors, tourism workers and journalists, to visit Croatia, a country that is becoming one of the most desirable tourist destinations in Japan.

Some of the prominent Japanese politicians present were Vice President of the House of Councillors in the Japanese Diet Akiko Santo, former Vice-Minister of Defence Seigo Kitamura, and President of the “Japan Foundation” Ambassador Kazuo Ogura.

The relevant programme that was presented to the guests included the performance of the Croatian musicians Matej Meštrović, Kristina Bjelopavlović, Borna Šercar, and a soprano singer Danijela Pintarić who, among other pieces, sang the aria from the opera composed by Ivan pl. Zajc “U boj, u boj” (“Into the Battle!”), which is extremely popular in Japan.

Before the celebration, a workshop was held for the tourism workers from Japan and Croatia, with special emphasis being put on two Croatian counties – Splitsko-Dalmatinska and Primorsko-Goranska Counties, with the participation of the representatives of the Croatian tourist agencies.

Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Japan Drago Štambuk was present on Tuesday, 2 March 2010, at the formal opening of Foodex Japan 2010 – the 35th International Food and Beverage Exhibition in Tokyo. Afterwards he visited the Croatian exhibit stand, in the organisation of Croatian Chamber of Economy and participation of the interested Croatian companies.

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