ZAGREB, 9 April (Hina) – Croatia welcomed over 1.1 million tourists and recorded 3В million overnight stays in the first three months of 2026, an increase of 9% in arrivals and 8% in overnight stays compared with the same period last year, the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) reported on Thursday, citing eVisitor data.

The Adriatic coast recorded 2.1 million overnight stays, up 12%, while continental Croatia saw 890,000, a rise of 3%. The eVisitor system covers both commercial and non-commercial accommodation and nautical charters.

Istria (700,000), Kvarner (513,000) and Split-Dalmatia County (326,000) recorded the most overnight stays, while top destinations included Zagreb, Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik, Opatija, Poreč and Zadar.

By market, domestic tourists accounted for over 1 million overnight stays, followed by Slovenians (314,000), Austrians (220,000), Germans (209,000) and visitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina (186,000).

During the extended Easter weekend (3–6 April), Croatia recorded 144,364 tourist arrivals and 501,014 overnight stays. Most visitors came from Germany, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Austria and Slovakia, with Dubrovnik, Poreč, Rovinj, Zagreb and Split the busiest destinations.

Tourism and Sport Minister Tonči Glavina said that despite challenging conditions, Croatia would leverage its strategic advantages, including safety and proximity to key markets, while emphasising price competitiveness and solidarity across the tourism value chain.

HTZ Director Kristjan Staničić highlighted positive trends, noting that 82% of Europeans plan to travel this spring and summer, the highest proportion recorded since 2020, provided geopolitical conditions remain stable. He added that travellers will focus on value for money when choosing destinations.