Croatia’s tourism remains strong with over 600,000 visitors this weekend as peak season begins

ZAGREB, 28 June 2026 – Croatia is entering the peak summer season, with more than 600,000 visitors staying across the country during the final weekend of June.

While overall results are expected to finish slightly below last year’s record-breaking figures, industry representatives say there are no signs of any significant decline in tourism despite geopolitical tensions and changing booking patterns.

In Split, visitor numbers are currently in line with last year.

Strong summer temperatures have encouraged beach tourism, helping June maintain similar results to 2025.

The largest groups of visitors at present are from the United Kingdom and the United States.

Tourism officials expect arrivals from Germany, Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina to increase after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup and as the main holiday season begins.

Tourism consultant Domagoj Grgić told HRT Croatia’s tourism industry continues to demonstrate its resilience and urged against overreacting to short-term fluctuations.

He also warned that constant public debate over rising prices could damage Croatia’s tourism image. Although prices have increased, he said Croatia is not the most expensive destination in the Mediterranean.

Many international visitors departing through Split Airport shared similar views, with around 50,000 passengers travelling through the airport during the weekend.

Several tourists described prices as reasonable, with one visitor from the United Kingdom saying Croatia remained cheaper than travelling at home.

Split is also preparing for another edition of the Ultra Europe music festival, with organisers expecting record interest. The event is expected to provide another boost to tourism during the height of the summer season.

Private accommodation providers report that much of their capacity has been booked for months.

However, some accommodation with what industry representatives describe as unrealistically high prices remains available, with owners expected to reduce rates closer to the festival through last-minute offers.

Current overnight rates for higher-category hotels during Ultra Europe are around €400 for double rooms, while five-star hotels in central Split are charging between €500 and €800 per night. Prices may fall slightly as the festival approaches.

Meanwhile, Dubrovnik has also reported a positive start to the year despite slower booking activity.

Dubrovnik Tourist Board director Miro Drašković said the city has recorded a one per cent increase in both tourist arrivals and overnight stays since the beginning of the year compared with the same period in 2025.

The first five months of the year delivered growth of two per cent, while June started positively before slipping into a slight decline. Overall, Dubrovnik remains one per cent ahead of last year’s figures.

Drašković said the results were encouraging given the current geopolitical situation and wider challenges facing the tourism market.

He added that Dubrovnik is focused on improving the quality and profitability of tourism rather than pursuing continuous growth in visitor numbers, describing large annual increases as unsustainable.

Hotels are experiencing slower booking activity and a growing number of last-minute reservations, including organised group enquiries arriving only weeks before travel.

Nevertheless, tourism officials remain optimistic that July and August will produce results similar to last year.