Umag is during the ATP tournament not only the sports, but also the social center of Croatia and in the stands ATP stadium we can see a lot of celebrities. Among the regular guests of the tournament every year is also the Croatian Minister of Tourism, Darko Lorencin.

How do you see the role of sport in the development of tourism?
- According to the Tourism Development Strategy until 2020, sports tourism is one of the most important products on which to base the future development of Croatian tourism. It is an increasingly more important and rapidly growing product group for which some operators are reporting growth of up to 30 percent annually. In order to achieve our goals by 2020 investments in infrastructure are needed, including facilities for recreation and sports, ranging from hiking and biking trails to various indoor sports facilities. By 2020, the potential investment in this group of facilities is estimated at 160 million EUR.

You have been several times at the tournament in Umag.How do you assess its role in the promotion of Istria and Croatia?
- This big tournament has always had a great importance for the promotion of Croatia, not only because of the world's tennis elite who participates in it, but also because of the numerous content offered throughout the tournament. It is through such events that Croatian tourism will become a year-round destination and a more competitive destination during the summer, since it is an additional motive to choose Croatia. Beautiful stories and impressions of Croatia, created on the basis of personal experience, are the best recommendation and motivation to all those who have not yet discovered the charms and natural beauty of our country. Our wish is that all of our guests experience Croatia in a genuine way and thereby assure the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, as well as the hospitality of our people.

Are you following tennis, have you ever played? Who is your favorite tennis player?
- In my younger days I was in a lesser extent, a recreational tennis player and I followed tennis most when Goran Ivanišević played.