August the 17th, 2026 – PM Andrej Plenković has stated that despite challenges, the main summer tourist season is going well so far, with a good post-season also expected.
It’s mid-August and the temperatures are scorching. More tourists are arriving on the Adriatic coast than leaving it, despite the devastating fires that have ravaged central Dalmatia. Traffic remains heavy on most roads leading towards the coast, and a similar situation can be observed at airports located along the Croatian coastline.
Poslovni reports that during the morning hours, long queues of vehicles continue to form along the motorway, stretching from Lučko near Zagreb all the way to Bosiljevo near Karlovac. Occasional congestion has also been reported in the direction of the island of Krk and the wider Kvarner region, indicating continued strong tourist demand even after the traditional peak of the summer season.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković assessed the current tourist season as better than expected, both in terms of the number of arrivals and overnight stays, and according to fiscalisation data and recorded revenues. Speaking about the positive indicators, Plenković emphasised the broader economic importance of tourism for Croatia.
“This is important for the economy, for GDP growth and for the Croatian economy as a whole,” the Prime Minister said. He added that the government hopes the positive trend will continue into the post-season period, which is traditionally a strong part of the tourist year in Croatia.
Tourism remains one of the key pillars of the Croatian economy, contributing significantly to employment, local business activity and overall economic growth. The sustained inflow of visitors in mid-August, combined with solid revenue figures, suggests that the 2026 season is performing well despite ongoing challenges such as rising costs in the hospitality sector and complex competitive conditions in the Mediterranean market.
With traffic still flowing towards the coast and airports remaining busy, industry observers and the government alike are counting on a solid post-season to further strengthen the overall results of this year’s tourist season.
