ITB Berlin 2026: Croatia ranks among top 10 destinations for German travelers
According to eVisitor data, which includes tourist traffic recorded in commercial and non-commercial accommodation as well as nautical charter operations (eCrew system), Croatia recorded more than 21.8 million arrivals and 110.1 million overnight stays in 2025, representing an increase of 2 percent in arrivals and 1 percent in overnight stays compared with 2024. Of that total, 104.6 million overnight stays were achieved on the Adriatic coast, which is 1 percent more than in 2024, while the mainland, including Zagreb, recorded 5.6 million overnight stays, an increase of 2 percent year on year.
„We are satisfied with the results achieved, which were record-breaking across all segments once again this year. We had a record pre-season and post-season, with a particularly strong December in which we recorded more than one million overnight stays. For the first time in history, we also surpassed 110 million overnight stays, and alongside all this we achieved record revenues. When we know that, in parallel with all these results, we also successfully implemented one of the most demanding reforms in tourism – the reform of accommodation capacity, for which we already have concrete indicators of positive change – then 2025 was overall a very successful tourism year. We now face new challenges, as 2026 brings many changes, from unstable geopolitical developments and economic conditions in our source markets to broader shifts in tourism trends. In this context, price competitiveness will be one of the decisive factors, and we all need to take seriously all the warnings and signals sent by the markets. We are intensively launching all promotional activities, from presentations at the world’s largest trade fairs to numerous market campaigns, and only with a serious and responsible approach by the entire sector to the challenges ahead can we repeat such results in 2026“, said Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina.
By county, the highest number of overnight stays last year was recorded in Istria (30.3 million overnight stays), followed by Split-Dalmatia County (20.9 million), Kvarner (18.5 million), Zadar County (15.5 million), Dubrovnik-Neretva County (9.3 million), Šibenik-Knin County (6.6 million) and Lika-Senj County (3.5 million), while by destination the highest number of overnight stays in 2025 was recorded in Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Split, Poreč and Umag.
„Excellent results achieved in 2025, despite complex global circumstances, inflationary pressures and climate change, motivate us to continue working and to achieve the set goals in 2026. Alongside the growth in tourist traffic in the pre- and post-season and the positioning of Croatia as a year-round destination, we will place emphasis on further developing premium and sustainable tourism, intensifying cooperation with airlines, tour operators and travel platforms, communicating specific tourism products, and running digital campaigns to strengthen the brand and encourage early bookings, including messages from the „Local host“ project in markets with strong demand for accommodation in private households. The year 2026 opens up new opportunities, but it also places before us challenges related to price competitiveness and safety, while the main goal of the entire Croatian tourism sector should be the provision of quality and value for money“, said Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board.
By source markets, the highest number of overnight stays in Croatia last year was generated by tourists from Germany (22.3 million overnight stays), Croatia (13.8 million), Slovenia (11.1 million), Austria (8.2 million), Poland (7.3 million), Czechia (4.9 million) and the UK (4.1 million).
Positive trends in December as well
The Croatian tourism sector also delivered excellent results in December, when 450,000 arrivals and 1.1 million overnight stays were recorded, representing year-on-year growth of 7 percent in arrivals and 7 percent in overnight stays compared with December 2024. The highest number of overnight stays was recorded in Kvarner, followed by Istria and Split-Dalmatia County, while by destination the strongest results were achieved in Zagreb, Opatija, Split, Dubrovnik and Rovinj.
Particularly strong results were achieved during the Christmas and New Year holidays, that is, in the period from 24 December to 1 January, when Croatia recorded more than 188,000 arrivals and more than 541,000 overnight stays, representing growth of 8 percent in both arrivals and overnight stays compared with the same period a year earlier. The highest number of overnight stays was recorded in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Opatija, Poreč and Split, while by type of accommodation the strongest results were in hotels (279,000 overnight stays) and private accommodation (128,000 overnight stays).
According to data from the Croatian National Bank (HNB), foreign tourist revenues in the first nine months of 2025 amounted to 13.411 billion euros, representing growth of 1.7% compared with the same period in 2024, or 223 million euros more.
Foreign tourist revenues for the first nine months of 2025: 13.411 billion euros
In the third quarter of 2025, foreign tourist revenues amounted to 9.037 billion euros, representing a decrease of 0.2% compared with the same period in 2024, or 21 million euros less.
„The data from the Croatian National Bank and the eVisitor system confirm that Croatian tourism continued to record stable and sustainable growth in 2025. Along with revenue growth of almost 2% in the first nine months, this year we also surpassed 110 million tourist overnight stays for the first time in history. We are satisfied with all these results, and they are not accidental, but rather reflect a strategic focus on quality, greater added value and more balanced tourism development throughout the year. The slight decline in revenue in the third quarter shows that all our appeals about the importance of price competitiveness were well founded. All research shows that interest in travel is lowest in that part of the year, which is why it is extremely important for prices to be realistic and competitive“, said Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina, adding that compared with 2016, revenues in the first three quarters rose by 83%, while looking only at the third quarter they increased by 72%.
