October the 10th, 2026 – Croatian tourist results for 2026 are more than satisfactory with over 20 million arrivals and around 150 million overnight stays recorded.
Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina said that Croatia is recording good tourist results this year and that more than 20 million arrivals and around 105 million overnight stays have been achieved so far. Index reports that according to data from the eVisitor system, from the beginning of the year to the end of September 20.1 million arrivals and 104.9 million overnight stays were recorded. That is two percent more arrivals and one percent more overnight stays than in the same period last year. In September alone 2.6 million arrivals and 14.3 million overnight stays were achieved, which is growth of three percent in both cases. “With the physical tourist results and financial indicators we can certainly be both happy and satisfied,” Glavina said after today’s Government session.
revenue increases from foreign visitors
Glavina also singled out the financial results of tourism. According to data from the Croatian National Bank, revenues from foreign tourists in the first six months of this year amounted to 4.587 billion euros, which is almost five percent more than in the same period last year. In the second quarter 3.642 billion euros in revenues were achieved. Domestic tourism is also recording growth. In the first six months domestic guests achieved 1.5 million arrivals and 4.2 million overnight stays, or seven percent more arrivals and six percent more overnight stays than last year. Glavina expects that the good results will continue until the end of the year, especially through the post-season and Advent events. The Days of Croatian Tourism will be held on 19 and 20 November in Poreč, when the line will traditionally be drawn under the tourist year and annual awards presented.
a major investment in split’s sport infrastructure
Glavina also commented on today’s Government decision on a major investment cycle in Split’s sports infrastructure. The Croatian Government gave consent for the co-financing of the renovation and modernisation of the Gripe Sports Centre, Spaladium Arena and the Park mladeži Sports Centre. The total value of these investments is estimated at 72.7 million euros, of which the state through the Ministry of Tourism and Sport will provide 54.5 million euros. At Gripe, a comprehensive reconstruction and energy renovation is planned, at Spaladium Arena construction rehabilitation and the renovation of technical and safety systems, and at Park mladeži the reconstruction of the football and athletics stadium.
“This is a major impetus for the development of sports infrastructure, because these buildings are in a rather poor condition due to the passage of time, and they are capital and important for holding sports events, preparation and the creation of athletes,” Glavina said. The investments are also linked to Split’s preparations for the European University Games 2028, but the Ministry states that the goal is to long-term renovate facilities that will remain available to athletes and citizens even after the competition.
Glavina also said that his Ministry will achieve around 22 million euros in savings through the budget revision. He claims that this will not mean abandoning the announced projects, but that some of them will be implemented with a different dynamic. “Everything we promised and planned we will also realise, just with a slightly different time dynamic,” he concluded.
