AGENTS’ tainted view of the Balkans is hindering attempts to arrest the alarming slump in sales to Croatia, according to Transun Holidays.
The specialist said some agents believe the destination is either war ravaged or is a bleak communist country with little tourist appeal.
In a campaign to kick-start sales and increase awareness, the operator is now investing £50,000 on taking more than 300 agents to Croatia.
Sales director Alison Keeble said Transun sales have dipped from a high of 25,000 in the mid 1980s to 10,000 in 1998 and, due to the Kosovo conflict, 4,000 last year.
“We want to show UK agents that the country has everything going for it,” said Keeble. “Many counter staff are too young to remember the good times and how popular the former Yugoslavia was. Others feel it is dangerous or think it resembles a dismal communist country.
“The fact is, the wars are over and it is still a fabulous place to visit. There is no logical reason for the huge sales decline and no reason why it should not get back to the heady days of the 1980s when Yugoslavia hosted 750,000 holidaymakers each year.”
Oxford-based Transun is running two educationals to Dubrovnik, with the first departing Gatwick on April 11 and the second leaving Manchester the following day.
“This is a major investment for us but we have belief in Croatia and want to get it back on its feet,” said Keeble.
She added that tourism is also hindered as the national tourist board is strapped for cash.
Meanwhile, Transun is to launch day trips to Cairo with departures from next year. Scheduled flights will leave at 5am and return shortly before midnight. Prices are likely to start at £250.