In 2019, Croatia observed 20.69m tourist arrivals (+4.92% YoY) and 108.64m tourist nights (+2.43 % YoY). Meanwhile, in December 2019, Croatia observed 0.37m tourist arrivals (+5.5%) and 0.88m tourist nights (+5.6%).

According to the Croatian Tourist Board, in 2019, Croatia observed 20.69m tourist arrivals, representing an increase of 4.92%. Of that, foreign tourist account for 18.26m (+4.4%). Meanwhile, tourist nights amounted to 108.64m, which is an increase of 2.43% YoY. When observing the tourist structure, foreign tourists account for 94.81m (+1.72%). Meanwhile, in December 2019, Croatia observed 0.37m tourist arrivals (+5.5%) and 0.88m tourist nights (+5.6%).

In 2019, Tourists from Germany recorded the most tourist nights, accounting for 19.5%. Tourists from Slovenia and Austria follow, accounting for 10.1% and 7.5%, respectively. Meanwhile most tourist arrivals were observed by tourist from the same countries: German tourists with 16.45% of all tourist nights, Slovenian tourists with 8.65% and Austrian tourists with 8.1% 

When observing the arrivals and nights realized by the type of accommodation, one can observe that private accommodation leads the list with 6.8m arrivals (+6.12%) and 39.3m tourist nights (+3%). Hotels follow with 7.9m arrivals (+5.77%) and 25.7m tourist nights (+1.68%). Such figures put hotels at 38.2% of total arrivals and 23.7% of total tourist nights.

When observing the arrivals and nights realized by county, Istria witnessed the highest arrivals (22.28%) and tourist nights (26.43%). The county of Split-Dalmatia follows with 19.12% of arrivals and 18.84% of tourist nights.

For the past couple of years Croatian tourism has been benefiting from the unfavorable security conditions seen in competitive Mediterranean countries. As a result, the domestic hospitality industry saw double digit growth in arrivals and overnight stays which pushed prices up significantly. Now Croatian companies will once again have to work in order to attract and retain customers in the country’s most important industry which accounts for roughly 20% of the country’s GDP.

It has become clear that the strong organic growth seen in the past has come to an end, and if Croatian tourists want to secure future growth CAPEX will have to be at the center of their attention. Many companies have already started or published their investment programs, so for example, Adris announced roughly HRK 3bn of investments in the tourism segment. To read more about it click here.

Arena Hospitality Group announced an investment plan of roughly HRK 500m, which they deem to be the driver of growth in the coming period. To read more about it click here. Meanwhile, the total approved investments of the Valamar Group for 2020, including Imperial Riviera, amount to HRK 826.2m and represent a continuation of the investment strategy in repositioning and upgrading the portfolio.