Interview
PETAR GALOVIĆ
According to data from the ITB Berlin fair, the Arabian market (GCC countries) is the fastest growing market as far as travelling abroad from a country of origin is concerned. Arab travelers spend the most and travel the longest. On average, they spend more than 200 euro per person per day, and spend an average of 14 days traveling. The greatest spenders come from Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, and they spend the most on accommodations, shopping, and entertainment.
© Arabco Projects
PETAR GALOVIĆ, founder of the Arabco Projects company, tells us about the interest Arab investors have for Croatia and the broader region, the preconditions for a greater number of tourist arrivals from Arab countries, and the ITW Abu Dhabi.
Croatia is increasingly more attractive for the Arabian market Conducted by: Željka Kunštek and Robert Kunštek ◆ Photos: archive of Arabco Projects
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www.arabcoprojects.hr
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tipTravelMagazine August - October 2016
wo years ago, you established Arabco Projects in Croatia. The company's name gives us a clue as to which market you are focused on, but with which goal? Arabco Projects was established in early 2014 with the aim of connecting the Croatian market with the incredible potential of the markets of the GCC (the countries of the Arabian peninsula) and MENA (Middle East and North Africa), with whom we currently do very little business. We recognized three segments where we could connect well,
including tourism, investments and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods). Our main activities are the promotion of a tremendous tourism offer, which includes holiday, medical, business, and sports tourism, attracting investors to the region, and encouraging the export of Croatian products adapted for the Arabian market. Do you have previous business experience with the Arabian market? Through my many years of doing business in the oil industry, I had the