Source: mint.gov.hr
Tourism data from eVisitor on the traffic generated in commercial and non-commercial facilities and nautical charter shows that in Croatia during 2024, more than 21.3 million arrivals and over 108.7 million overnight stays were achieved, which represents an increase compared to 2023, of 4 percent in arrivals and 1 percent in overnight stays. Of these, 103.3 million overnight stays were realized on the Adriatic, which is 1 percent more than in 2023, over 2.7 million overnight stays were realized on the continent, which represents a growth of 5 percent, while 2.7 million overnight stays were also realized in the city of Zagreb , which represents a growth of 6 percent compared to 2023.
“We can be very satisfied with all achieved tourism results in 2024, including financial indicators, because by all parameters we achieved another record year. What makes us especially happy is that we made the most pronounced growth precisely in the pre- and post-season, thereby confirming that we are becoming a destination suitable for year-round tourism. Thus, in the preseason, that is, from January 1st to May 31st, we achieved 11% more arrivals and 12.5% more overnight stays, while from October 1st to December 31st, we achieved 10.3% more arrivals and 9.7% more overnight stays. The important reform processes that we are carrying out and the strong financial support of the Croatian Government for investment in the public and private tourism sector are the basis for the continued success and competitiveness of Croatian tourism, thus we will continue with these activities this year as well”, said Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina and emphasized that in 2025, the special focus of tourists when choosing a vacation destination will be the price-quality ratio, and that is why it is very important that all tourism stakeholders rationally form the prices of services, that is, as he has already emphasized several times, and what was confirmed by the indicators from our emission markets ahead of this year, tourists will primarily look for value for money and in this way it is important to form an offer.
Looking at the counties, the most overnight stays last year were achieved in Istria (30 million overnight stays), followed by the Split-Dalmatia County (20.7 million overnight stays), Kvarner (18.2 million overnight stays), Zadar (15.4 million overnight stays), Dubrovnik-Neretva County (9.1 million overnight stays), Šibenik-Knin County (6.6 million overnight stays) and Lika-Senj County (3.4 million overnight stays), while by destination, the most overnight stays in 2024 were realized in Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Split, Poreč and Umag.
“Croatian tourism achieved an excellent result in 2024 despite very demanding market circumstances. This is a confirmation of the strength and recognition of the Croatian tourism brand, but also of the dedication of Croatian tourism workers, whom I would like to thank for their exceptional contribution to achieving these results. A new year is ahead of us, which brings with it new challenges. The travel industry will primarily be characterized by price competitiveness, safety of destinations and sustainability of tourism. These are the segments that we will have to pay special attention to if we want to continue positive trends and further growth in traffic, with special emphasis on pre- and post-season periods, as well as on the continent of our country,” said Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian Tourist Board, emphasizing that tourist data was excellent for the last month of the year.
More than 416,000 arrivals and 992,000 overnight stays were recorded in Croatia in December, which represents a 4 percent increase in arrivals and overnight stays compared to December 2023. Particularly good results were achieved during the Christmas and New Year holidays, i.e. in the period from December 24th to January 1st, during which 169,000 arrivals and more than 467,000 overnight stays were realized in Croatia, which compared to the same previous period represents an increase of 8 percent in arrivals and 2 percent in overnight stays. According to tourism data, the most overnight stays were in Zagreb, Opatija, Poreč, Dubrovnik and Split, according to the type of accommodation in hotels (251,000 overnight stays) and homestays (108,000 overnight stays).
Fiscalized accounts worth 7 billion and 299 million euros
As for financial indicators, according to data from the Croatian National Bank (HNB), in the first nine months of 2024, the income of foreign tourists amounted to 13 billion and 188.7 million euros, which represents a growth of 1.7 percent compared to the same period in 2023, i.e. 224 million euros more were generated.
According to the data of the Tax Administration, in 2024, the total fiscalized accounts in tourism-related activities were worth 7 billion and 299 million euros, that is, 11.5% more than in the same period in 2023. Also, in the mentioned period, 431 million invoices were issued in these activities, i.e. 5% more than in the same period last year.
Record road, air and sea traffic
In 2024, 76,528,869 vehicles and 496,914,295.28 euros of tolls were collected on the highway sections managed by HAC, which represents an 8% increase in traffic compared to the same period last year, and the collected tolls were higher by 13%.
In maritime traffic, according to the first information, Jadrolinija transported 12.6 million passengers and 3.7 million vehicles in 2024, surpassing the goals set for the previous year and reaching new record numbers. Also, all airports in 2024 recorded an increase in traffic, so ZL Franjo Tuđman welcomed its four millionth passenger on December 1st, which is the first time in history that the airport achieved this much traffic, while ZL Zadar has its millionth passenger this year on August 10th, i.e. a month earlier than last year, and already on the last day of August, it achieved the total turnover of 2023.
