As Croatia becomes the 28th country to join the EU, tour operators and travel agents say the number of British visitors will surge between now and 2017.

Around 300,000 visitors to Croatia in 2012 came from Britain, and that figure could top 500,000 in 2017 – not least because locals and visitors alike are protected from price rises seen in some EU member countries by Croatia’s decision to keep its own currency, the kuna.

With the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Dubrovnik, 1,100 miles of coastline and 1,185 islands, Croatia is a quality tourist destination.

This is despite economic problems, including a 50 per cent youth unemployment rate, and falling living standards after years of recession.

Even though Croatia is the third poorest member nation of the EU, after Bulgaria and Romania, its range of holidays is wide: high-quality resorts on the coast and islands, sailing holidays, city breaks in Zagreb, cruises into historic Dubrovnik.

A new campaign is promoting inland areas, popular with walkers, to tourists, many of them from Germany and Italy.

EU membership means UK travellers are better protected as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) promises state healthcare at a reduced cost in case of accidents or medical emergencies. Valid travel insurance remains a must-have.

Maria Whiteman, chief executive of Directline Holidays, says: “British visitors to Croatia will find some things a little easier, such as border crossings and seeking medical help, and the overall holiday experience should improve further, without a jump in costs.

“Croatia is not set to adopt the Euro in the immediate future but to safeguard against any short-term price rises holidaymakers could take a pre-loaded Currency Wallet Card to secure spending money at today’s exchange rate.”

At online travel agent On the Beach, which boasts a 140 per cent rise in bookings to Croatia for 2013, spokesman Jamie Wortley says: “Croatia is more expensive than Spain and Greece but prices will drop as airlines compete for passengers and hoteliers chase more guests.”

Border crossings from Croatia should get easier, helping visitors in northern Croatia with day trips to Italy and Slovenia: Trieste and Ljubljana are good day trip destinations from Pula and Rovinj.

Croatia should also get funding from the EU Tourism Fund to promote sustainable, responsible development.