Tui UK is expanding its coverage of Croatia for next summer by introducing flights to the port city of Rijeka.
In-house carrier Tui Airways will be the only airline to serve the airport which serves the island of Krk in Kvarner Bay from Manchester and Gatwick with weekly flights from May 23, 2019.
A ferry service to the nearby Adriatic island of Rab will be included in the price of holidays.
A new adults-only Tui Sensimar Carolina resort is being offered as well as two Platinum hotels.
The operator is also featuring three hotels on Krk, including Corinthia Baska Sunny hotel by Valamar.
The expansion comes on the back of an 8% increase in UK travellers to Croatia this year following a 26% rise in arrivals in 2017.
Tui has seen unique searches to the country rise by almost 30% over last year.
Tui UK head of product, Mark Hall, said: “We are excited to launch yet another interesting and different destination to our customers.
“We are committed to offering holidaymakers the best travel experiences around the world and we know that Croatia is proving extremely popular with UK customers so we are positive this new addition to our portfolio will be a success.
“Adding a Tui branded hotel to one of the islands shows we continue offering customers even more choice and flexibility when it comes to adults only holidays.”
Croatian National Tourist Office UK and Ireland director, Ivona Grgan, added: ‘’Croatia’s multiple offering championed by its natural beauty boasting over 1,000 islands, coastlines, peninsulas, mountains and continental urban flair offers something for every discerning traveller.
“Unsurprisingly, a variety of locations in the coastal, mountain and continental regions dotted with the national parks and UNESCO sites, provided an ideal film-set for a number of recent films, most notably Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again which, after the premier, is witnessing a rush of UK visitors to the farthest inhabited island of central Dalmatia, island of Vis, marking 16% and 17% rise in arrivals and overnight stays.
“Croatia’s tourism fuelled by films is another boost to the country’s prospects in the UK market and enhanced visibility.”