Zagreb - Croatia will temporary suspend visa requirements for some countries in an effort to boost tourism, Croatian Tourism Minister Damir Bajs said Wednesday.

The ministry proposed scrapping visa requirements for Russian and Ukrainian citizens during the summer season, and also for Chinese and Indian citizens, Bajs said.

"We are expecting a weak tourist season this year," he said. The number of tourists in Croatia could drop by 3 per cent - a heavy blow to an industry generating almost 20 per cent of domestic product.

A weak season could further hamper Croatia's economy, and the Croatian government will discuss Bajs' proposal in the next few days.

Croatia's Adriatic coastline is a popular destination among tourists from Germany, Austria, Italy and Slovenia. In recent years tourists from Russia, Japan and the US have increased considerably. (dpa)