According to the figures of the Croatian Central Bureau of Statistics, the biggest rise in tourist visits to Croatia was recorded precisely in Japan. Croatia’s growing popularity as a tourist destination is best reflected in the words by Member of the Croatia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group Sadakazu Tanigaki, who in an interview for The Daily Jomiuri said that Japan “is going through a Croatia-boom”.
The first charter flights for Croatia were introduced in 2007, and have steadily been rising in number ever since. All flights have been operated by Japan Airlines, who this year will operate nine charter flights to Croatia, which despite the difficulties the Japanese economy is in, indicates a constant interest of the Japanese people in traveling to Croatia. It should also be noted that as opposed to 2007, when traveling arrangements for Croatia were offered by just one tourist agency, this year five tourist agencies are doing so.