Vukovar experiencing a tourism boom

(Photo credit: Darko Kešnjer/ TZ grada Vukovara)

Vukovar, January 30, 2024 – The increase of 41.26 percent in arrivals and 33.35 percent in overnight stays in 2023 confirms Vukovar as a destination in Croatia which is becoming more and more desirable.

Last year, the city on the Danube recorded 55,924 arrivals and 87,863 overnight stays.

Excluding school excursions from these figures, there is still a 10.12 percent increase in arrivals and a 5.48 percent increase in overnight stays compared to the previous year.

(Photo credit: Darko Kešnjer/ TZ grada Vukovara)

Excluding school excursions, 18,264 arrivals and 38,460 overnight stays were recorded in 2023, representing a growth of 10.14 percent in arrivals and 11.11 percent in overnight stays compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

(Photo credit: Darko Kešnjer/ TZ grada Vukovara)

Tourists, predominantly domestic, accounting for 73 percent, stayed an average of 2.1 days in eastern Croatia. The destination’s attractiveness led to the opening of 27 new accommodation facilities last year, bringing the total to 82, with 1,124 beds available.

347 cruise ships docked at the Vukovar port on the Danube. The trend of river cruising continued last year. Of the 347 cruise ships that docked at the Vukovar port, there were 45,857 passengers, with the majority coming from America, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. The Danube season, one of the strongest assets of continental Croatia, extended until the end of December.

(Photo credit: Darko Kešnjer/ TZ grada Vukovara)

There is a growing number of visitors to the city’s festivals and events. The latest event held last year, Vukovar Advent, was ranked among the top five most beautiful in Croatia in a selection by the portal Gradonacelnik.hr, competing with major cities and county seats.

(Photo credit: Darko Kešnjer/ TZ grada Vukovara)

Vukovar: A Strong Brand

Overall guest satisfaction in Vukovar was exceptionally high, with a rating of 93/100, confirming the quality and satisfaction of guests through the Integrated Quality Management project in the destination – IQM Destination Vukovar.

This quality measurement project has been ongoing for three years, and the very high rating indicates the exceptional strength and recognizability of the Vukovar brand. Last year, 7,200 guests left reviews on online platforms, positioning Vukovar as one of the most successful destinations on the continent, appealing throughout the year.

(Photo credit: Marko Balaži/ TZ grada Vukovara)

Attractions maintained the highest quality rating. Among them is the Vukovar water tower, the winner of last year’s Plaque with a gold emblem for the best project of restoration and valorization of cultural heritage in the international cultural tourism competition “Plautilla.”

(Photo credit: Darko Kešnjer/ TZ grada Vukovara)

More Awards and New Projects

Even domestic awards haven’t bypassed Vukovar. Three Sunflower awards for rural tourism arrived in the city – a golden plaque in the category of “Traditional (rural) gastronomy” for the Gondola Sotin Excursion Site, a bronze plaque in the category of “Active tourist activities in rural areas” for the Equestrian Club “Dunavski Raj,” and a special recognition in the category of “Craft tourism” for the Craft Brewery Vukovar.

(Photo credit: Miroslav Šlafhauzer/TZ grada Vukovara)

“Winning awards always delights us; they speak of an increasingly high-quality tourism offer in Vukovar. We will enrich our attractions and offerings with new projects; the construction of the Adrenaline Park in the Adica Park forest is underway, the river Vuka promenade is being renovated, and the construction of the Vučedol Archaeological Park has begun. Based on the developed Communication Strategy, we are working on strengthening this brand,” says Marina Sekulić, Director of the Vukovar Tourist Board.

(Photo credit: Darko Kešnjer TZ grada Vukovara)