Croatia expects tourism to reach 60% of record year of 2019

Dubrovnik

ZAGREB, 6 July 2021 – In an interview with daily Slobodna Dalmacija, Croatian National Tourist Board Director Kristjan Staničić says that tourism will be ‘solid’ this year and around 60 percent of the record year of 2019 when 21 million tourists visited.

“Croatia has prepared well for the peak of the tourist season, when, if the epidemiological conditions are favourable, we expect the largest influx of guests in our country. A large invitation campaign “Trust me, I’ve been there” in 12 emitting markets is underway, it will be active until the end of July, and its goal is to invite guests to spend their vacation in Croatia, as well as further positioning our country as an attractive, safe and well-prepared destination,” Staničić pointed out.

In the interview, Staničić also referred to the current tourist results and expectations for the season.

“In the first six months of this year, there were about 2.6 million arrivals and 11.7 million overnight stays in Croatia, which is an increase of about 55 percent compared to the same period last year, and at the moment we are satisfied with what has been achieved. I will use football vocabulary, we played very well in the first half and I appeal to everyone to adhere to the prescribed epidemiological measures, be responsible and conscientious so as not to jeopardize the most important tourist months ahead,”  Staničić added.

Currently, the largest of tourists in Croatia are from Slovenia, Germany and Austria, but also there are a number of Czechs, Poles, Slovaks and Hungarians. 

“For all third-country nationals, including citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have relaxed measures at the border, so anyone who meets the conditions for entering Croatia can enter our country and feel safe and welcome with us,” Staničić said.

Split ferry terminal

Last weekend 523,000 tourists in one day were staying in Croatia. Most tourists are currently in Istria, Kvarner and the Split-Dalmatia and Zadar counties. 

The most popular destinations are Rovinj, Vir, Porec, Umag, Medulin and Mali Lošinj.