September 11 (SeeNews) - The UK office of tourism group TUI said it is introducing two direct weekly flights to Croatia's Rijeka from Manchester and London Gatwick exclusively starting from May 23 next year.
With the addition of these flights, TUI will be the first major tour operator in the UK market to launch holidays to two islands in Kvarner Bay in Croatia, Rab and Krk , located in the northern Adriatic Sea for summer 2019, it said in a statement on Monday.
Holidaymakers will fly to Rijeka and from there they will be transported to Rab or Krk, TUI explained.
The introduction of another Croatian destination follows continued market growth and a 38% increase in TUI sales for Croatia for next summer compared to last year, TUI UK said
The Croatian Tourist Board has seen almost an 8% increase in UK travellers to Croatia this year following a 26% rise in arrivals the year before.
TUI noted that its adults only concept resort TUI Sensimar Carolina will be available on Rab in summer 2019, following a full refurbishment. Along with two other hotels on Rab, the tourism company also offers three hotels on the island of Krk, including Corinthia Baska Sunny hotel by Valamar.
Tourism is a key industry for Croatia, generating around a fifth of the country's gross domestic product.