September the 17th, 2026 – Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković has caused a stir and claimed that “most people don’t even know where Istria is”, adding that “Dubrovnik is the only tourism champion in Croatia”.
Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković assessed the tourist season as excellent at a session of the City Council and claimed that Dubrovnik is “the only champion of tourism in Croatia.” Index reports that in his review of the results, which according to him exceed expectations, he directed criticism at the “Istrian lobby,” reports Dubrovački dnevnik.
“The season has been excellent, and what is ahead of us looks very good. So far it looks above expectations,” Franković said.
He also expressed satisfaction that the number of visitors in the historic centre is not exceeding critical levels, after which he sent a message to the competition. “We’re the only champion of tourism in Croatia and no one can measure up to us. Istria with its lobby is trying to present itself as successful. People exclusively from Istria, such as Veljko Ostojić, comment on tourism and they push it. We are alone, but we have shown that we are above everyone,” Franković said, concluding with the statement: “Most people don’t even know where Istria is.”
4.7 million people have come to dubrovnik so far in 2026
On Facebook he was answered by the president of IDS and mayor of Poreč, Loris Peršurić. Peršurić replied to Franković that Dubrovnik is one of the symbols of Croatian tourism and that one should be proud of its successes, but he ironised the claim that people do not know where Istria is.
“Just this year 4.7 million people successfully found it, and we’re only in the 9th month because the season with us lasts almost the whole year,” he wrote. He emphasised that Istria’s reputation was not created overnight, but was built over decades by private renters, owners of agritourism facilities, taverns and wineries, olive growers, caterers, hoteliers, craftsmen and farmers. He also pointed out that in tourism it is not only the numbers that matter, but quality, sustainability and the preservation of space for the people who live in it.
Peršurić added that Dubrovnik also has strong state and tourism tools for promotion at its disposal and concluded that one can be proud of one’s own successes without diminishing those of others. “I therefore invite you to personally convince yourself of the qualities of Istria, but hurry with the reservation because these days quite a few people manage to find us,” he said to Franković.
