Croatia attracted 20 million tourists; summer is over, but the season does not stop!

In the first nine months of this year, Croatia achieved nearly 105 million tourist overnight stays and more than 20 million arrivals! Tourist traffic continues to grow, and the September results are particularly encouraging, confirming that Croatia is increasingly attracting guests even after the peak of the summer season. Along with the growth in tourist numbers, revenues are also rising, and Istria, Dalmatia, and Kvarner remain among the most popular destinations.

According to data from the eVisitor system, which covers tourist traffic in commercial and non-commercial accommodation facilities as well as nautical charters, 20.1 million arrivals and 104.9 million overnight stays were recorded in Croatia from January to the end of September.

Compared to the same period last year, this represents a growth of two percent in arrivals and one percent in overnight stays.

On the Adriatic coast, 100.5 million overnight stays were achieved, while the continental part of Croatia, including Zagreb, recorded 4.4 million overnight stays. Both regions achieved a growth of one percent.

September confirmed: Croatia is increasingly attractive even after summer

Particularly good results were achieved during September, when 2.6 million tourists visited Croatia, alongside 14.3 million overnight stays. This is a growth of three percent in both categories compared to the same month last year.

The highest number of overnight stays was generated by guests from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

Among the most visited destinations in September, Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Split, Umag, and Medulin stood out.

Tourist revenues growing faster than the number of guests

The Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, pointed out that the achieved results confirm the positive direction of the development of Croatian tourism, especially when it comes to extending the tourist season.

“We are recording excellent tourist results in September as well, continuing the positive trend in which an increasing share of tourist traffic is achieved outside the main summer months,” Glavina stated.

Along with the growth of tourist traffic, financial indicators are also positive.

Revenues from foreign tourists in the first six months rose by five percent, while the value of fiscalized receipts in tourism during the first nine months increased by nearly 18 percent. The number of issued receipts simultaneously grew by six percent.

Glavina emphasizes that the goal is to develop higher-value and higher-quality tourism, with more balanced tourism activity throughout the entire year.

Istria at the top, followed by Dalmatia and Kvarner

According to the number of overnight stays achieved in the first nine months, the most successful Croatian tourist regions are - Istria – 29.5 million overnight stays, Split-Dalmatia County – 19.9 million overnight stays, and Kvarner – 17.6 million overnight stays.

Among individual destinations, Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Split, Umag, and Medulin stood out the most.

Germans still the most numerous, Croatia also attracts distant markets

Germany remains the most important foreign tourist market for Croatia, with 20.8 million achieved overnight stays.

They are followed by domestic guests with 13 million overnight stays, Slovenians with 10.8 million, Austrians with 7.7 million, and Poles with 7.2 million overnight stays.

Other significant markets include the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

The Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Staničić, points out that the results confirm a gradual change in tourist demand.

“We are particularly pleased with the continuity of positive trends in September, which confirms that interest in Croatia is increasingly extending beyond the main summer months,” Staničić stated.

He added that he sees additional opportunities for growth in distant markets and in tourism segments of higher added value, along with stronger cooperation with airlines, tour operators, and other strategic partners.

Advent as an opportunity for a successful end to the year

Following a successful first nine months, the Croatian tourism sector is turning towards the end of the year.

Advent events, cultural manifestations, and a rich offer across the country should further stimulate tourist arrivals outside the traditional summer season.

Croatia thus continues to strengthen its position as a tourist destination that has something to offer to guests throughout the entire year, and not just in summer.