This year’s tourism numbers have surpassed all expectations thanks largely to successful pre- and post-season trade, the Minister of Tourism Damir Bajs said at a recent presentation of the latest statistics from the sector.

The biggest surprises and growth over the last year took place in pre- and post-season months, Bajs explained. October looks good as well, Bajs said, which is expected to have a further positive impact on the final figures.

"This means that Croatia had 750,000 more guests than last year in the first nine months, but 500,000 of them came during the pre- and post-season," Bajs said.

There were 10.4 million arrivals in the first nine months of this year and 62.7 million overnight stays. That is a growth of 7.6 per cent and 6.7 per cent, respectively over 2010.

Croatian tourism's revenues were 1.7 billion Euros in the second quarter of this year or 14 per cent more than the same period in 2010. The tourism’s share in the country’s GDP grew 1.7 per cent to 14.5 per cent, daily Monitor writes. Some 13.6 per cent more people found jobs in the sector.

Next year's strategies will continue with some of the results-producing measures that proved crucial for the pre- and post season, Bajs said. The Minister would like to see 35 million Euros set aside for joint advertising with foreign partners and bringing new airlines to the country. Croatia will also increase its efforts to attract tourists from far locations such as China, Japan and India.