Domestic Visitors Lead Record Attendance at Krka, Plitvice Introduces New Attractions
National parks report excellent results, with Plitvice Lakes investing in extending visitor stays.
National parks report excellent results, with Plitvice Lakes investing in extending visitor stays.
This year's attendance at Krka National Park has surpassed half a million people, with domestic tourists being the most numerous, according to HRT Magazine. Despite high temperatures, Skradinski buk continues to attract visitors from around the world.
Park director Nela Slavica emphasized that Krka is a favorite destination throughout the year. They are particularly pleased with the increase in arrivals during the pre- and post-season, so the three percent decline during the peak season does not worry them.
"I believe that this year we will achieve results like in previous years, meaning that more than a million people will certainly visit us," Slavica told HRT Magazine.
In addition to Croats, guests from neighboring European countries regularly return, and there are more tourists from the UK and the USA. Visitors are being directed in a way that protects biodiversity, which is affected by climate change and invasive species.
The park's management is currently working on five-year nature protection projects. These include the restoration of the Mediterranean mosaic landscape, protection of endemic fish species, and selective removal of invasive species such as pike.
"What pleases us most is the latest project approved for EU funding, which involves the restoration of our natural phenomenon-the tufa barriers and waterfalls," Slavica pointed out.
In the Šibenik-Knin County area, Skradinski buk is the longest tufa barrier in Europe and the last one on the Krka River from its source to its mouth.
According to HRT's report, Plitvice Lakes National Park has no problem with visitor numbers, but the key challenge is keeping guests longer. Acting director Tomislav Kovačević says this year's numbers are satisfactory.
"Looking week by week, there were fluctuations of plus or minus 2-3%, but we are at the same level as last year, and as you can see from the number of people, it's the peak season at Plitvice Lakes," Kovačević stated for HRT.
To encourage tourists to stay longer than a day, the municipality of Plitvička Jezera and the tourist board have jointly completed the Glagolitic Promenade. Tourist board director Josipa Kukuruzović explained what visitors can expect on the trail.
"Along the trail, we have Glagolitic letters throughout, as well as painted rocks that illustrate the history of the Croatian language," Kukuruzović said.
Additionally, the Hotel Plitvice is being renovated to offer guests extra amenities. "They will have a short, smaller wellness program, and we will introduce other programs related to healthy living," Kovačević announced.
Plitvice is full of guests from all over the world. Goran Malinović, a 100% war veteran with disabilities from Vukovar, now living in Zagreb, was pleasantly surprised by the park's care for people with disabilities. "They said everything is available-the train, the boat, and their staff are all there to help us, they will accommodate us," Malinović told HRT.
Rabi Kafle from Nepal was thrilled by the beauty of the waterfalls. "There are several waterfalls, the water is beautiful, and the pictures look very nice. I think this is the best place," Kafle said.
Chinese tourists had an interesting encounter when they met Chinese police officers on exchange at Plitvice. Mao Yumeng, a police officer from China, shared her impressions: "It's nice, beautiful, and safe here. The police are really kind and professional, always there to help. They explain things clearly, so we know how we can help too."
However, not everyone is satisfied. Restaurant owner Danijel Krizmanić speaks candidly about the challenges with prices. "Of course it's expensive, how could it not be? Prices are, there's a difference across the whole country, and so..."
