March the 24th, 2025 – With many in the profession now admitting that “some things did go too far last year”, is 2025 the year of truth for Croatian tourism?
Sustainable tourism is the goal for Croatia and it has been for some time now. Swapping counting eVisitor numbers and a desire for mass tourism for something a little less insufferable however will be no easy feat after decades. It’s more and more clear with each summer season, something needs to change in Croatian tourism, as the current model is an intensely damaging one.
As Novi List writes, preparations for the tourist season are currently in full swing on the Adriatic coast. Hoteliers are busy hastily completing their facility renovations, increasing their capacities, and hiring employees. Last year’s season was full of challenges, ending with more than 21 million tourists and almost 109 million overnight stays being registered nationwide.
is 2025 going to present further challenges to croatian tourism? maybe…
HRT journalist Marko Percan delved into the 2025 summer expectations and announcements for Croatian tourism up in Istria. With Easter just around the corner, it’s going to be important to follow current tourism trends see if 2025 really might be the “year of truth” for Croatian tourism. He spoke to well known tourism expert Boris Žgomba, president of the Association of Travel Agencies, the leading tour operator in Croatia.
Žgomba wasn’t shy in revealing what the 2025 trends and state of reservations are for Croatian tourism at the moment.
“If we’re just talking about Easter, which is in 20 or so days, the reservations are looking good for now. However, there are still places available, and a lot will certainly depend on weather conditions. The rest of the season is still slowly filling up, but it does feel like it’s not as smooth as it usually is,” Žgomba pointed out.
the market is what will determine whether or not croatian tourism is expensive
When asked whether Croatia is considered too expensive and whether the country will need to adjust its prices to remain competitive, Žgomba replied that this is a question for the market and the market only.
The market will determine whether Croatia is still seen as too expensive or not. The fact is that last year, some things really did go too far in this regard, especially in the non-boarding offer. I don’t know if it will happen this year, but I believe that everyone learned a lesson from last year because there were those who had serious problems as a result of it.
The prices for 2025 in Croatian tourism will be regulated solely according to the quality and the value actually provided, believes Žgomba.
The HRT team then visited the glorious Makarska Riviera and checked how the tourism pearls of Central Dalmatia are being prepared for summer. Tiny, idyllic Gradac has always been a major tourist player with more than a million overnight stays realised, but when the Hungarians suddenly closed their hotels in the middle of the 2023 season, uncertainty began, and the losses there began to pile up.
“We really do feel the lack of these guests. The municipality also feels it through taxes and the budget, and then that has a domino effect and local people feel it,” said Matko Burić, Mayor of the Gradac Municipality.
hotel renovations
Last year, when the renovation of Labinec began, the locals were relieved. Close to 20 million euros are currently being invested, and this hotel is returning to the market this summer with a four stars rating. The renovation of Laguna is also starting. Together, these hotels boast over 1200 beds, which are invaluable for Dalmatian tourism.
“We have information that a contractor has been selected. That means that the renovation of Laguna is starting, it’s planned for 2026, revealed Mayor Burić.
Good news can also be heard from nearby Tučepi. The renovated Alga hotel is opening its doors in April. The largest Dalmatian hotelier has otherwise invested over 100 million euros in the new look of its hotels.
“We’ve renovated a lot. We’re currently finishing the facade, some mechanical parts… that’s one of our smaller investments, only 3 million euros,” said Željko Stašević, Sunce Hoteli d.d.’s executive director.
easter 2025 is looking good, but what about croatian tourism this summer?
The summer flight schedule comes into effect next weekend. It’s currently looking richer than ever, meaning that there is no fear for the pre-season in Central Dalmatia.
“We’re very satisfied with it. Easter is almost full, as is Labour Day, meaning that the pre-season is looking excellent,” stated Andrea Paradžik, director of the Mirjam hotel, adding that the prices they’ve set are similar to last year.
The pre-season is full, from leisure tourism to various business events, seminars and so on. But when the intense heat arrives in summer, we’ll find out whether or not 2025 is going to be turning point and a (potentially harsh) lesson for Croatian tourism. The situation with reservations for July and August, HRT has learned, is currently not looking all that promising.
