New saunas opened at Terme Tuhelj – investment worth 1.4 million euros
Over the past two decades, Croatian camping has significantly improved the quality and variety of its accommodation offer, facilities and services, thereby further strengthening its position in the European tourism market. The continuation of investments in quality, adaptation to market changes and responding to increasingly demanding guest expectations are key to the further development of the sector, which are the main focus topics of the jubilee 20th Croatian Camping Congress. Organized by the Camping Association of Croatia (KUH), the event took place from 19 to 21 October at the Hotel Well in Terme Tuhelj.
"This is a big day for Croatian camping and the fulfillment of dreams for all tourism workers who have worked for years to make Croatian camping the best in Europe in terms of quality. Recent research by PiNCAMP, the camping platform within ADAC, confirms that Croatia has become the leading camping destination by quality, which is something we can all be very proud of. This provides an additional incentive for the further development of Croatian camping, as well as confirmation that investments, especially over the last ten years, pay off and are recognized by guests. Further development will also depend on the legal framework regulating camping activity, specifically in spatial planning, maritime domain and sea, as well as tourism. We expect conditions and frameworks to be defined across all three areas that will enable further investments. Without new investments, there is no raising of quality, and I believe that in the coming years we will see a further flourishing of Croatian camping and a new surge, especially thanks to Croatia's positioning as the highest-quality camping destination in Europe," emphasized Veljko Ostojić, President of the Executive Board of KUH and Director of the Croatian Tourism Association.
According to an announcement by PiNCAMP, the camping portal of ADAC, the largest German and European, and the second-largest automobile club in the world, Croatia will lead the European camping quality rankings for the first time in 2027, with the number of Croatian campsites carrying the ADAC Superplatz title rising to 29. ADAC PiNCAMP expects strong demand from the German and Dutch markets to continue into the next season. How to maintain competitiveness in the European market and create conditions for sustainable sector growth is one of the key questions at this year's Croatian Camping Congress.
"The next step in the development of Croatian camping is not just accommodation, but the overall quality of the stay, from pitches, sanitary facilities and shade to services and content that give guests a reason to visit outside the summer season as well. It is important to preserve the diversity of the offer, from tent and camper sites to mobile homes, small family campsites and large resorts. Research should help us direct investments toward specific guest groups, while technology should make bookings easier and leave employees with more time for guests. Professional people and clear, predictable business conditions are equally important for such development," stated Adriano Palman, Director of the Camping Association of Croatia.
These changes are particularly visible in the development of accommodation quality. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Croatia had 13 four-star campsites in 2007, while there were no five-star campsites at all. By 2025, the number of four-star campsites rose to 82, with nine entering the five-star category. As a result, 58% of Croatian camping capacity falls into the 4 and 5* category. Such development reflects continuous investments in infrastructure, the enhancement of the existing offer and the development of facilities, allowing Croatian camping to meet increasingly demanding guest expectations.
"The camping industry has transformed significantly over the last 20 years. Today, 50 percent of Croatian campsites hold four or five stars, and they account for 20 percent of all overnight stays in Croatia. The level of their quality is also confirmed by guest loyalty, as shown by the latest research. As many as 50 percent of guests have returned to Croatian campsites seven or more times, which speaks to the competitiveness of this tourism segment," emphasized Monika Udovičić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.
From 1 January to 11 October 2026, Croatian campsites recorded nearly 3.4 million arrivals and 21.4 million overnight stays, keeping results on par with the same period last year, which was a record-breaking year in the history of Croatian camping. Germany, Slovenia and Austria remain the leading source markets, accounting for more than 60 percent of total overnight stays in campsites, while domestic guests recorded 9.7 percent more overnight stays compared to the same period last year. The importance of camping for Croatian tourism is further confirmed by its 23 percent share of total overnight stays in commercial accommodation, alongside an average stay of 6.2 days—the longest among all accommodation types.
Later in the program, European examples of campsites adapting to climate change are scheduled, ranging from landscaping green areas and creating shade to adjusting infrastructure. Business topics cover employee development and retention, energy efficiency and an overview of ten years of online bookings in Croatian campsites.
A special segment of the program addresses how Croatian campsites present themselves to guests through artificial intelligence. The study covered four leading AI assistants, which were asked 100 questions about Croatian campsites across five source markets, analyzing nearly 2,000 responses to verify the accuracy of the claims made and the sources used. The results provide insight into the reliability of information potential guests receive, as well as opportunities for campsites to enhance their visibility and the availability of accurate data in the digital environment.
The professional program is accompanied by an exhibition of mobile homes, glamping tents, equipment and digital solutions for campsites. The Congress thus connects research and the exchange of experiences with concrete offers for investment and business improvement. From its first edition in 2007 to last year's event, approximately 5,200 participants from Croatia and abroad have attended these gatherings. Serving as the central meeting point for representatives of campsites, the tourism sector, institutions and related industries, the Congress encourages the exchange of experiences, the presentation of innovations and discussions on the trends and challenges shaping the future of camping.
The jubilee Congress concludes tomorrow with the presentation of the Croatia's Best Campsites and OK Mini Camps awards, as well as the Naj Kamp Adria 2026 award, recognizing quality and development in the camping offer.
