Documentary On Britt Will Not Harm Croatia`s Image

The Channel 7 documentary which showed Dubrovnik in a negative light, along with entire Croatia, did not discourage travel agents.

The image which Croatia tried to promote and has been constructing for years as the `Mediterranean as it once was` and as a carefree country where visitors are universally welcome, slowly started breaking down with frequent attacks on gay tourists, while the negative perception culminated because of the death of young Australian backpacker Britt Lapthorne. Seeing how her case is still covered in a veil of secrecy, various speculations arise, categorising Croatia as a dangerous and unsafe country.

Will the Channel 7 documentary seriously harm Croatian tourism?

An unfortunate chain of circumstances, fate, murder or suicide? Not even the Dubrovnik police know what actually happened, or the world-famous psychic visited by Britt`s brother, however, an eager Channel 7 reporter, a reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes, managed to construct an interesting story in just one visit to Dubrovnik, based on circumstances and science fiction. Channel 7 aired the story on Sunday night and undoubtedly got record ratings, all in the spirit of justice, altruism and the desire to help the unfortunate Lapthorne family. Not because of sensationalism.

According to current research of the Tourism Institute on the level of satisfaction, tourists who come to Croatia rank `personal safety` with exceptionally high marks, especially in relation to Croatia`s competing countries. We are convinced that such an isolated case will not change the perception of Croatia.

Ministry of Tourism

We asked persons from responsible areas whether fear of damaged image of Croatia was justified in the world and what the predictions were. Nobody expressed great concern, and everyone agreed:

- Croatia is recognised all over the world as one of the most desired and safest destinations in the world and there is no room for concern –

Dubravka Suica: I deeply believe that tourist courses will not be disturbed in Croatia

Dubrovnik Mayor Dubravka Suica confidently said that this case would not disturb tourist courses and according to her information, the upcoming season will be more than good.

- The police should definitely additionally be clearer in this case. The truth is that it would have been better if the Australian TV network`s documentary had not taken prime time slots in the news these days, but I deeply believe that it will not disturb tourist courses in Dubrovnik and in Croatia in general. According to my information, as things are, this season will be a great one. However, some estimates predict a drop in 2010, due to the world economic crisis – Dubrovnik Mayor Suica said.

Ministry carefully monitoring world media

Mario Dragun, spokesperson of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVPEI), says the documentary aired by Channel 7 could not seriously damage Croatian tourism and its perception as a safe country. He backed his claims with the fact that Croatian FA Minister Gordan Jandrokovic was praised by his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith.

- Due to all taken activities, the Australian foreign affairs minister has extended gratitude to Minister Jandrokovic during their recent meeting in Oslo. The MVPEI is carefully monitoring world headlines on the Britt Lapthorne case and our embassy in Canberra will increase its diplomacy activities to confirm the real truth about this case – Mario Dragun said.

No cancellations of travel agents in the upcoming season

Optimism comes from the Croatian Tourism Ministry, which claims they have no information on travel agents cancelling their arrangements for the upcoming season.

- The Tourism Ministry regrets the death of Britt Lapthorne, but since the Croatian police in co-operation with Interpol and the Australian police are still intensively working to shed light on the case, we cannot the case yet. What we can comment is the fact that according to current research of the Tourism Institute on the level of satisfaction, tourists who come to Croatia rank “personal safety” with exceptionally high marks, especially in relation to Croatia`s competing countries. We are convinced that such an isolated case will not change the perception of Croatia. We have no information on travel agents cancelling arrangements for the upcoming season – Croatian Tourism Minister Damir Bajs told us.

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