Croatia set to record 20 million visitors – the places most visited in 2023

Croatia set to record 20 million tourists in 2023

In Croatia, during the first ten months, nearly 20 million arrivals were recorded. In October, there was a 13 percent increase in arrivals.

According to the initial incomplete data from the eVisitor system, which includes tourist traffic in commercial and non-commercial facilities, as well as nautical charter (the eCrew system), Croatia has recorded over 19.8 million arrivals and more than 105.8 million overnight stays from January to the end of October, or during the first ten months.

This represents a 9 percent increase in arrivals and a 3 percent increase in overnight stays compared to the same period last year. Compared to the record year of 2019, this represents an equalization of results.

“We are nearing the end of yet another very challenging tourist year, but the dynamics and intensity of tourist traffic, which continue in our country, are the best indicators of Croatia’s increasing and better recognition as an attractive year-round tourist destination. We remain very active in promoting ourselves on numerous foreign markets, with an ongoing campaign to promote nautical tourism, followed by a campaign aimed at stimulating new reservations for the next year. I would also like to remind you of Croatia’s presence and presentation at the WTM in London, one of the most important global tourism fairs, where 23 co-exhibitors, or Croatian tourism entities, will be presented at the CNTB stand,” stated Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian Tourist Board.

Hvar

Looking at the counties, during the first ten months, the most arrivals were recorded in Istria (4.9 million arrivals, +5% compared to 2022), Split-Dalmatia County (3.8 million arrivals, +11% compared to 2022), Kvarner (3.1 million arrivals, +5% compared to 2022), Zadar County (2 million arrivals, +6% compared to 2022), Dubrovnik-Neretva County (2 million arrivals, +18% compared to 2022), Šibenik-Knin County (one million arrivals, +3% compared to 2022), and Lika-Senj County (752 thousand arrivals, +14% compared to 2022).

In Zagreb, there were 1.1 million arrivals, which is 21 percent more than last year, while in the rest of the continent, there were over a million arrivals, which is 15 percent more than last year.

“Excellent results in the off-season confirm to us that Croatia is increasingly recognized in the market as a year-round destination, a clear indicator that we must continue to develop our tourism in that direction. The Government of the Republic of Croatia has created all the prerequisites for our tourism to remain competitive in the future through a strategic and legislative framework and secured financial resources for a new investment cycle. Activities have already begun on all markets to prepare for the new tourist year,” emphasized Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Looking at the destinations, the most arrivals during the first ten months were recorded in Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Split, Rovinj, Poreč, and Zadar.

Dubrovnik again the most popular

Regarding markets, the highest number of arrivals in the first ten months were from Germany (3.3 million arrivals), Croatia (2.5 million arrivals), Slovenia (1.6 million arrivals), Austria (1.6 million arrivals), and Poland (1.1 million arrivals).

Rovinj was popular again

In October, 1.1 million arrivals and 3.6 million overnight stays were recorded. According to the eVisitor system, a total of 1.1 million arrivals and 3.6 million overnight stays were recorded in Croatia in October, representing a 13 percent increase in arrivals and an 11 percent increase in overnight stays compared to last year.

Zadar was busy in 2023

During October, 844 thousand arrivals and 3.2 million overnight stays were recorded in the Adriatic counties, representing a 12 percent increase compared to last year. In Zagreb, 119 thousand arrivals (+18% compared to last year) and 226 thousand overnight stays (+6% compared to last year) were recorded.

Split

In the rest of the continent, 102 thousand arrivals (+14% compared to last year) and 195 thousand overnight stays (+8% compared to last year) were recorded. The most arrivals in October were from domestic guests (214 thousand arrivals), guests from Germany (153 thousand arrivals), Slovenia (80 thousand arrivals), Austria (78 thousand arrivals), and the USA (63 thousand arrivals).