September the 11th, 2026 – Records have been broken as Croatia successfully surpasses 5 million arrivals in August alone.
A staggering 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays were recorded across Croatia during the first eight months of this year. That impressive figure represents a 1% increase in both indicators compared to the same period last year, the Croatian Tourist Board announced. Index reports that of the total number of overnight stays realised, 86.7 million were registered on the coast and islands and 3.8 million on the mainland. Data from the eVisitor system also show that in August alone, for the first time in history, the number of more than five million tourist arrivals in a single month was exceeded. This is according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport and the Croatian Tourist Board.
an expectation-shattering august this year
In August alone, more than five million guests arrived in Croatia, which is 2% more than in the same month last year. 31.4 million overnight stays were recorded, or half a percent more than in last year’s August. The most overnight stays in the eighth month were recorded by guests from Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Austria, Italy, Hungary and the Czech Republic. By counties, Istria, Split-Dalmatia and Kvarner lead, while the most visited destinations were Rovinj, Vir, Poreč, Medulin, Umag and Dubrovnik.
“Croatian tourism is competitive, which is evident from all indicators, and we have done our utmost for that. Behind us are an extraordinary eight months and a summer season in which, despite numerous challenges, we achieved growth in key indicators,” said Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina.
“It’s particularly important that we achieved this result in circumstances of changed travel habits. We have constantly said that trips would be shorter and that guests would manage their budgets more rationally, and the difference between the growth in arrivals and the somewhat milder growth in overnight stays precisely confirms this,” he added. The minister thanked the entire tourism sector for their cooperation and readiness to respond to seasonal challenges, especially regarding price competitiveness.
detailed results for the first 8 months of 2026
Looking by counties, in the period from January to the end of August, the most overnight stays were recorded in Istria, 25.4 million. This is followed by Split-Dalmatia County with more than 17 million overnight stays and Kvarner with 15.2 million. The most visited destinations in the year so far were Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Split, Umag and Medulin. The most numerous guests in the first eight months were Germans with 16.9 million overnight stays. Domestic guests recorded 11.7 million overnight stays, followed by guests from Slovenia (9.6 million), Austria (6.3 million), Poland (6.3 million), the Czech Republic (4.5 million), Hungary (3.7 million), Italy (3.5 million) and the United Kingdom (3.2 million).
plans for the remainder of 2026
Director of the Croatian Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić emphasized that the results confirm strong interest in Croatia. “As a destination, Croatia has responded very well to market challenges and changes in traveller behaviour, who today make decisions about travel much more carefully. I believe that, in addition to the quality of the offer and the work of the entire sector, the continuity of our promotional activities has also contributed to this,” said Staničić. He noted that the HTZ was active in key markets through digital campaigns, social networks, PR activities and cooperation with carriers and tour operators.
“An important part of the year remains ahead of us and we are very focused on the off-season and the winter period. We want to maintain positive momentum, but at the same time continue working on quality, competitiveness and greater value of Croatian tourism,” concluded Staničić.
