ZAGREB, 3 Sept (Hina) – In the first eight months of 2025, Croatia registered 17.2 million visitors, who generated 89.8 million overnight stays, a rise of 2% and 0.5% respectively compared to the same period last year, Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina and National Tourist Board Director Kristjan Staničić said on Wednesday.

Tourist spending has also increased, according to the initial data.

Croatia becoming a year-round destination

Emphasising that the presented data on tourist arrivals and overnight stays are provisional and that the official figures will be released next week, Glavina and Staničić  highlighted their satisfaction with the results, which confirm Croatia’s stable position on tourist markets. They noted that Croatia is increasingly becoming a year-round destination, as growth was recorded during the pre-season, while the number of tourists and overnight stays in July and August was lower than last year.

Minister Glavina commented that the results might have been even better had prices been more stable, but added that the tourist season is still ongoing and that, according to all forecasts, the post-season is expected to be strong.

He stressed the importance of the fact that, for the first time this year, the growth in tourism industry was most evident in the pre-season and less so in the summer months, which aligns with the goals of all strategic documents focused on sustainable and year-round tourism development.

He thanked all tourism workers and employees from other sectors for their efforts so far this year, especially those who, as he put it, “listened to the market” regarding pricing.

Tourism industry has seen record results so far this year

In terms of both physical and financial performance, he said that tourism has seen record results so far this year, citing data from fiscal receipts.

According to these, 310.4 million receipts were issued in tourism and hospitality in the first eight months – an increase of 3.6%В compared to last year, while their total value rose by 9.9%, reaching €5.9 billion.

Although, as reported, there were slightly fewer travellers in Croatia in July and August compared to the same months last year, specifically 0.5% fewer, or 9.6 million visitors, who generated 1.3% fewer overnight stays, amounting to 60.4 million tourist spending was nonetheless higher.

The value of 111 million receipts issued in July and August combined was 2.8% higher than last year, totalling €3 billion, a 7% increase.

At this pace, Glavina believes that by the end of 2025, total revenue from foreign tourists will reach €15.5 billion, which would be 3.8% more than in 2024, in line with the latest projection by the Croatian National Bank (HNB).

Glavina also highlighted a slightly higher occupancy rate of accommodation capacities (hotels, campsites, and private households) this year compared to last, and noted that the results of this year’s legislative changes regarding accommodation structure are already becoming visible.

The goal is to curb the proliferation of private and low-quality accommodation. As of 15 August, there were around 2,000 fewer tourist beds in private households compared to the same date last year, while the number of hotel beds increased by approximately 1,600 and campsite beds by around 5,000.

According to Glavina, this shows that, in line with government programmes and strategies, tourism is being managed effectively according to the principles of sustainability.

He also pointed out that wages in the sector have risen by around 90% since 2016 and now average approximately €1,600.

Fewer German, Hungarian, Czech, French and Dutch guests, more Americans, Brits and Poles

Regarding Germany, whose tourists account for about a quarter of all overnight stays in Croatia, HTZ director Staničić  said that it is among the group of countries that have recorded a “slight decline” in tourist numbers this year.

This group includes Hungary, the Czech Republic, France, and the Netherlands, primarily due to the economic situation in those countries and a trend of citizens travelling less across Europe and more within their own or neighbouring countries, while also being more price-conscious.

Croatia has also felt the impact of this trend, as domestic travellers once again ranked second among all nationalities in terms of overnight stays, having travelled within the country more than ever before. Additionally, there was an increase in the number of tourists from Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.

Staničić  also highlighted positive results from the U.S. market, from which an increase in tourist arrivals is expected next year, as negotiations are underway for more direct flights to Croatia. The United Kingdom and Poland were also cited as markets with strong results.