EUROPE – Derogatory comments about antipodean tourists has landed the former Tourism Minister for Croatia and destination manager for Dubrovnik, Pave Zupan Ruskovic, unemployed.
The Croatian tourism official told a local newspaper she would prefer if Australians and New Zealanders stayed away from Dubrovnik: “Already when entering the city they are drunk and crazy. And that’s absolutely not appropriate for any city and in particular for Dubrovnik,” she told the Dubrovacki List.
The city’s Mayor Andro Vlahusic said he would not be renewing Ruskovic’s contract as the city’s tourism destination manager. He said Dubrovnik is an open and free city where all guests are welcome, and that Ruskovic’s comments were unacceptable. “The city tourism industry’s common aim is to gain the best quality we can. It can guarantee security and a pleasant stay of visitors no matter their origin or age,” the Mayor told The Croatian Times.
Ruskovic said they had tried to influence trip organisers to keep tours away from the city, or else they would have to implement rules to keep the rowdy visitors out.
Croatia is ranked 40th in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Association Meetings Market 2010 report with 50 qualifying meetings. In the city rankings, Dubrovnik is ranked 139th with 13 meetings alongside Cairns (Australia), Doha (Qatar), the Gold Coast (Australia), Kobe (Japan), Liverpool (UK) and Luxembourg.
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