Source: tportal
Croatia was visited by 2.6 million tourists in September, an increase of three percent compared to the same month last year. Overnight stays also rose by the same percentage, reaching 14.3 million. In the first nine months, the number of tourists rose to 20.1 million and overnight stays to 104.9 million, the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) reported.
Tourist arrivals in the first nine months of this year are two percent higher than in the same period last year, and overnight stays are up by one percent; the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) reports these figures based on the eVisitor system, which tracks tourist traffic in commercial and non-commercial accommodation as well as nautical charter (via the eCrew system).
The majority of overnight stays—100.5 million—were recorded in the Adriatic region, representing a one percent increase compared to last year, while 4.4 million overnight stays were recorded on the continent, including Zagreb—also a one percent increase.
The Germans are also first over the nine-month period.
In September alone, the highest number of overnight stays was recorded by tourists from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Germans also ranked first over the nine-month period, followed by tourists from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Among the counties, the highest number of overnight stays—both in September and over the nine-month period—was recorded in Istria, Split-Dalmatia County, and the Kvarner region, while Dubrovnik, Rovinj, and Split remained among the most visited destinations.
“Excellent tourism results in September continue the positive trend of generating an increasing share of tourism traffic outside the peak summer months. We have put behind us nine months marked by numerous challenges, yet through timely preparations and the collaborative efforts of the entire tourism sector, we managed to address them and achieve these results,” commented Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina.
He also highlighted good indicators in road, sea and air traffic and income from foreign tourists, which in the first six months increased by five percent compared to the same time last year, adding that the value of fiscalized accounts in tourism is also increasing.
That figure for the first nine months is nearly 18 percent higher, and the number of issued invoices is up by six percent.
Year-round tourism
“All of this confirms the direction in which we are developing Croatian tourism—towards greater value, quality, and more balanced activity throughout the year. As the year draws to a close, and with Advent and numerous other events taking place across Croatia, we believe we will continue this positive trend and successfully wrap up the entire year,” said Glavina.
HTZ Director Kristjan Staničić, meanwhile, points out that the results so far in 2026 confirm that the structure of tourism demand is also gradually shifting “in the direction we want.”
“It is particularly encouraging to see the continuation of positive trends in September, confirming that interest in Croatia increasingly extends beyond the peak summer months. We are seeing good results in our key source markets as well as growing diversity in demand, while identifying further growth potential in distant markets and high-value-added segments. This is the result of systematic efforts to promote and position Croatia on the global market, as well as enhanced cooperation between the Croatian National Tourist Board and strategic partners, including tour operators, airlines, and other transport providers,” stated Staničić.
