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According to data from the eVisitor system, which includes tourism traffic recorded in commercial and non-commercial accommodation as well as nautical charter through the eCrew system, Croatia generated more than 1.1 million arrivals and 3 million overnight stays from January to the end of March, representing year-on-year growth of 9% in arrivals and 8% in overnight stays.
Of that total, 2.1 million overnight stays were recorded on the Adriatic, which is 12% more than last year, while the continental part of the country generated 890,000 overnight stays, marking growth of 3%.
„The tourism year is unfolding in challenging circumstances, making it very difficult to predict how it will develop further. Croatia will know how to use its strategic advantages such as safety and proximity to source markets. Price competitiveness remains a decisive factor when choosing a destination, and this is something all of us must pay particular attention to. If everyone across the value chain acts responsibly and in solidarity, we will create the conditions for an excellent continuation of the tourism year and, even more importantly, strong foundations for the next one. We are satisfied with the results, but we remain realistic, knowing that the most demanding part of the tourism year is still ahead of us“, said Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sport.
When Croatia’s tourism performance is broken down by county, the highest number of overnight stays in the first quarter was recorded in Istria (700,000 overnight stays), Kvarner (513,000 overnight stays) and Split-Dalmatia County (326,000 overnight stays), while the leading destinations were Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik, Opatija, Poreč and Zadar.
„The tourism results achieved so far confirm positive trends, which corresponds with our activities and campaigns, especially those aimed at promoting the pre-season and post-season periods. We have modified and adjusted our communication messages in line with current circumstances, placing safety, quality and the diversity of Croatia’s offer at the forefront. The desire to travel is clearly present, as shown by the latest research from the European Travel Commission, according to which 82% of Europeans plan to travel during this year’s spring and summer, the highest recorded percentage since 2020, provided the geopolitical situation does not worsen. Travellers will pay particular attention to prices and will choose destinations that offer value for money“, said Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board.
By source market, the highest number of overnight stays during the first three months came from the domestic market, with more than one million overnight stays, followed by Slovenian guests with more than 314,000 overnight stays, Austrians with 220,000, Germans with more than 209,000, and guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina with 186,000 overnight stays.
More than 500,000 overnight stays during the Easter weekend
It should also be noted that eVisitor data show that during the extended Easter weekend, from 3 to 6 April, Croatia recorded 144,364 arrivals and 501,014 overnight stays.
During the extended weekend, the largest numbers of visitors came from Germany, the domestic market, Italy, Slovenia, Austria and Slovakia.
Looking at destinations, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Rovinj, Zagreb and Split recorded the highest number of visitors over the extended weekend.
