February 19 (SeeNews) - Croatia's tourism ministry launched a public invitation on Monday to allocate a total of 24.6 million kuna ($4.1 million/3.3 million euro) in grants to local small businesses involved in tourism to increase the competitiveness of their offer in 2018.
The budget funds are aimed to increase the quality of tourism accommodation, back the development of special forms of tourism, ensure tourist safety and the recognisability of local products, the tourism ministry said in a statement.
In choosing the grant recipients, particular attention will be paid to the development of tourism in mainland Croatia, the Dalmatian hinterland and islands, as well as to sustainable development, the use of digital technologies and linking agriculture and tourism.
Funds are available to small business entities outside the public sector and family farms that provide catering and/or tourism services.
Grants of between 20,000 to 400,000 kuna will be granted per project.
The deadline for the submission of bids is March 20.
Tourism and travel industry contributed 10.7% of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016, the World Travel&Tourism Council (WTTC) said earlier.
The WTTC said at the time that by 2027, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total 26.03 million.
(1 euro=7.4382 kuna)