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Coronavirus Update – May 19, 2020
It has been just under three months since our very first travel update and now more than ever we are feeling extremely positive about the future of travel. As we have seen on a weekly basis, Croatia has made extraordinary progress in their efforts against the virus while we are also starting to see positive signs emerging from the United States.
Croatia – Starting With The Stats
- Incredibly just 195 people in the whole of Croatia have an active case of COVID-19. If this progress continues there is a possibility that the virus may be completely eradicated by the summer months!
- Since our last update on Wednesday May 13th there has been just one death in the whole of Croatia.
- Daily new cases are reaching record lows with just 4 new cases recorded over the whole weekend of May 16th.
Life In Croatia
At present, life in Croatia is feeling more and more like normal with over 14,000 travelers having entered Croatia since May 9th! Temperatures in the south of the countrye rising into the 80s, as locals (such as Ines in our Pula office!) head to the beaches to soak up the sun and gaze into the shimmering blues of the Adriatic. Bars and restaurants have resumed a normal service with takeaway options and outdoor seating available. Also, the beautiful and serene National Parks are open, which comes as welcome news to travelers!
Air Transport Making A Comeback
The national airline of Croatia, Croatia Airlines is increasing its international routes with a route to Amsterdam opening up as well as a second daily service to Frankfurt being introduced. Other airlines are also taking steps in a bid to re-introduce their services to Croatia in the near future with growing signs that the tourism market and international travel is recovering at a much quicker rate than initially expected.
To read more about the current situation we put together a FAQ section in our weekly update on May 13th. The FAQs are designed to give you an insight into travel to Croatia in the near future and how we are working with you to ensure any current or future trip lives up to the unforgettable experience that you deserve.
The Current Situation In The US
With life in Croatia returning to normal, we are placing a larger emphasis of our travel update on the current situation within the United States.
As of March 19th, the U.S Department of State has advised U.S citizens to avoid all international travel due to the ongoing global impact of COVID-19. This guidance also extends to U.S citizens who live abroad.
With people beginning to get cabin fever and the lure of travel starting to creep in, U.S airports are beginning to see a real uptick in passenger numbers. According to ABC News, Sunday May 17th saw 253,807 travelers which was the highest number seen since March 24th. In addition to this we are happy to say that both weekly numbers of new cases and number of fatalities saw a strong week on week decrease. Numbers of new cases for the week beginning Monday May 11th reduced by 10.86% from the week beginning Monday May 4th, while the number of fatalities dropped by 23.62%.
As the situation in the United States improves and global appetite for travel continues to gather momentum, our CEO Pamela Robinson wanted to share her thoughts in her weekly column.
A Note From Our CEO
“As passionate travelers and lovers of Croatia, my team and I were delighted to see tourists arriving for the summer season. Croatia’s response to COVID-19 was a world-class example of how to handle a crisis and I am thankful they are seeing the benefits of their strong and assertive approach. For me, as lockdown eases, I look back on those long Croatian summer nights spent with friends, laughing and chatting over local food and wine, with spectacular Mediterranean sunsets and soft crashing waves as our backdrop. If, like me, you are dreaming of travel later this year and are seeking a safe destination paired with an unforgettable experience, I assure you Croatia will not disappoint. A big thank you to all of you continuing to stay informed with our travel updates and I hope you are keeping safe as our world moves forward with reopening”
For those of you interested in traveling to Croatia, we have options available for 2020 and moving into 2021.
Travel to Croatia in 2020
Traveling to Croatia this year provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Croatia – minus the crowds. As with any spectacular global tourist destination, Croatia experiences high crowds in the June-August season and with travel numbers expected to decline this year, it provides a unique opportunity for those wishing to visit. Not only will popular destinations such as Krka National Park and Dubrovnik Old Town be quieter and even more picturesque; but there may also be opportunities for more affordable airfares and accommodation options.
In particular, on Monday May 18th we saw round trip flight prices from London to Dubrovnik for as little as $135 per person! In the normal high season these prices would typically be as high as $500 per person. With no current direct flights to Croatia from the United States there are a variety of 1 stop options available with direct flights from all of Europe’s major transport hubs such as Berlin, Madrid, Paris and London.
Travel to Croatia in 2021
If you want to wait until next year for your big trip then you should act fast! With some people re-booking their 2020 trips and others rushing to book a dream itinerary to look forward to in 2021, we are seeing a surge in demand. In particular the most exclusive and desired accommodation options are getting snapped up fast, so we recommend you contact us sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
As always our friendly team is here to help you create your dream vacation. With over 20 years’ experience in travel to Croatia and the Balkan region, our ground team based in Croatia as well as destination experts in the United States will work with you to craft an itinerary that fits your personality and the experiences you enjoy most.
As always we will continue to keep you updated on travel to Croatia and the latest on the situation in the United States.
