News

Travellers planning a trip to the Adriatic in the next few decades may soon have a new destination to visit.

Slovenia, which controls around 30 miles of the Adriatic coastline, has announced that it intends to build an artificial island.

The move is designed to boost tourism in the region and it could be ready for use by 2020.

'The building is expected to take place between 2013 and 2020, while the total cost is estimated at 100m [£67m],' economy ministry spokeswoman Patricija Sasek told Reuters.

Officials plan to create a 30,000-square metre island which will have beaches, bars, restaurants, a marina and a wellness centre.

Around 30% of the money for the construction of the island will come from the Slovenian government, while the European Union and private investors will also provide some of the funding.

At present, tourism accounts for 5% of the country's gross domestic product, but government officials hope to increase this to 10% by 2011.

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