Croatian specialist Holiday Options is expanding into neighbouring Slovenia for 2000.
Next year’s brochure will feature lakes and mountains resorts around Lakes Bled and Bohinj in the north of the country. The season runs from May-October.
The move will enable the operator to offer twin-centre Slovenia/Croatia packages. Chairman Jonathan Oakes said:”Slovenia and Croatia both used to be part of Yugoslavia and integrate well as a holiday product.
“The green elements of Slovenia’s lakes and mountains contrast nicely with the coastal qualities of Croatia’s Adriatic coast.”
Prices for a 14-night twin-centre holiday start at £549. The deal includes return flights from London to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, four-star accommodation with half-board and transfers between the Slovenian lakes and the Croatian coast.
For second-time visitors to Croatia, the operator is adding the Istrian peninsula to its programme that last year featured the Dalmatian Riviera and islands.
“Istria is very popular with repeat visitors. The Northern part of the coast seemed to be the final piece in the puzzle for us,” said Oakes.
In Istria the product is based on small three and four-star hotels in the resorts of Pula, Porec and Rovinj.
Prices lead in at £269 for seven nights half-board accommodation with charter flights into Pula.
Oakes is confident Croatian business will bounce back next year – this year’s sales were wiped out by the Kosovo crisis sales.
“When NATO’s bombing campaign started, bookings stopped.
“We’d planned for 9,000 Croatia clients, but 70% didn’t materialise,” said Oakes.
“However, I’m sure we’ll see a turnaround next year. Hoteliers in Croatia are determined to rebuild volume from the UK and are offering prices to make it happen.”