Croatia records 7% increase in overnight stays during the first five months

According to data from the eVisitor system, which tracks tourist traffic in commercial and non-commercial accommodation as well as the nautical charter sector (eCrew system), Croatia recorded 4.5 million arrivals and over 14 million overnight stays between January and the end of May. This represents a 5 percent growth in arrivals and a 7 percent growth in overnight stays compared to the same period last year. Out of the total number of overnight stays, 12.2 million were recorded on the Adriatic coast—an 8 percent increase from last year—while the remainder was generated on the mainland, which saw a 3 percent growth in overnight stays.

"The 5% growth in tourist arrivals and 7% in overnight stays during the first five months of this year confirms that the measures and policies we are implementing are yielding concrete results, particularly in boosting the pre- and post-season and developing year-round tourism. Data for June so far is also encouraging, showing very positive trends. Given the circumstances surrounding the recent crisis in the Middle East, we reacted quickly in terms of promotion. We redirected existing marketing campaigns in our most important source markets to highlight our competitive advantages, such as proximity to key markets and the country's safety. In the current climate, alongside a good price-to-quality ratio, these factors rank high on tourists' list of priorities and preferences. However, the most intensive part of the tourist year is ahead of us—July and August, when we generate the largest share of tourist traffic. According to current research and trends in key source markets, demand is somewhat more restrained than in previous years, which is why it is vital to continue maintaining a responsible and competitive pricing policy. Through high-quality package arrangements and an offer that meets guest expectations, we must further solidify Croatia's position as a destination providing an excellent value-for-money ratio," emphasized Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports.

When breaking down Croatia's tourism results by county, the highest number of overnight stays during the first five months was recorded in Istria (4.1 million), Split-Dalmatia County (2.2 million), and Kvarner (2.1 million). In terms of specific destinations, the leaders were Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Poreč, and Zadar.

"These positive results confirm that Croatia maintains a strong position in the international tourism market, meaning that interest in our country remains stable despite the challenging circumstances facing the global travel sector. According to the latest European research, travel demand for the Mediterranean remains very strong. Destination safety, the quality of the offer, a good value-for-money ratio, and proximity are among the key factors when choosing a holiday destination. These are precisely the main communication messages in our marketing campaigns, through which Croatia aims to attract more guests," stated Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, adding that the pre- and post-season periods are playing an increasingly vital role in the country's overall tourism results.

Looking at the source markets, the highest number of overnight stays during the first five months was generated by guests from Germany (2.7 million), domestic tourists (2.5 million), followed by guests from Slovenia (1.3 million), Austria (1.1 million), the UK (over 670,000), and the USA (over 540,000).

Regarding accommodation types within the commercial segment, hotels—which account for 15 percent of total capacity—generated 43 percent of all overnight stays. Campsites, accounting for 20 percent of capacity, recorded 16 percent of total overnight stays, while private household accommodations, which make up 52 percent of capacity, accounted for 23 percent of overnight stays.

Additionally, data from the eVisitor system shows that during the extended weekend for the Corpus Christi holiday (from June 4 to June 7), Croatia recorded 378,000 arrivals and 1.7 million overnight stays. During this long weekend, the highest number of guests came from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Poland, Slovenia, the UK, and the USA. By county, the most overnight stays over the long weekend were recorded in Istria, Split-Dalmatia County, and Kvarner, while the top destinations were Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Split, and Medulin.

Source: CNTB 

Photo credit: Aleksandar Gospić