Croatia welcomes 16% more tourists so far in 2024

Zagreb

According to the initial data from the eVisitor system, which includes tourist traffic in commercial and non-commercial facilities as well as nautical charter, Croatia saw more than 1.1 million arrivals and over 3 million overnight stays in the first quarter of 2024 from January to the end of March. 

Compared to the same period last year, this represents a 16 percent increase in arrivals and a 15 percent increase in overnight stays, the Croatian National Tourist Board confirmed. 

Of these, 2.2 million overnight stays were recorded on the Adriatic coast, which is a 20 percent increase from last year. 

On the mainland, over 415 thousand overnight stays were recorded, representing a 7 percent increase, while during the first quarter, Zagreb saw 440 thousand overnight stays, a 5 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

“In the first quarter, Croatia experienced excellent transitional weather, and we are witnessing stable double-digit growth in traffic, which is a direct indicator of the strengthening of our overall offer in the pre-season, and the increasing recognition of Croatian destinations as year-round and attractive destinations. 

The pre and post-season periods are precisely the times of the year when Croatian tourism can make the most progress in terms of sustainable and quality growth, and all our activities defined by the new Strategic Marketing and Operational Plan are aimed in that direction, with the ultimate goal of positioning our country as an attractive and safe destination in the niche between standard and premium. 

In other words, we are focused on groups of guests with different needs and travel motives, tourists looking for interesting destinations and offers, escape and relaxation from daily routines, and authentic experiences,” said Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board.

Zagreb popular Croatian destination in first quarter

Segmenting Croatia’s tourism results by counties, in the first quarter, the highest number of overnight stays were recorded in Istria (772 thousand overnight stays), Kvarner (534 thousand overnight stays), and the Split-Dalmatia County (333 thousand overnight stays), with destinations such as Zagreb, Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Split, Opatija, Poreč, and Zadar.

Zagreb (Photo credit: J Duval/Zagreb Tourist Board)

“The positive trends we are witnessing in tourism, from physical to financial indicators, are the result of systematic work and all the activities we have undertaken in the recent period to direct Croatian tourism towards year-round and sustainable development. 

The fact that we have been recording record pre-season attendance for the second consecutive year confirms that tourists already recognize us as a year-round destination, and that our destinations offer more and more content and richer offerings during that period. I believe that with further engagement of the entire sector and with strong support from the Government, which the tourism sector has had in all segments from day one, these positive trends will continue, making Croatia a desirable destination throughout the year, and a destination that listens to the desires and needs of tourists as well as the local population, because only in that way can we continue to have successful tourism in the future,” emphasised Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Slovenians number one tourists in Croatia 

Looking at the markets, during the first three months, the highest number of overnight stays were made by domestic guests (over 962 thousand overnight stays), followed by Slovenians (over 285 thousand overnight stays), Germans (279 thousand overnight stays), and Austrians (over 250 thousand overnight stays). 

Rovinj

When observing the realised overnight stays by types of accommodation, the most overnight stays were recorded in hotels (1.7 million overnight stays), private accommodations (638 thousand overnight stays), and campsites (151 thousand overnight stays).

Zagreb a popular spring destination