In September 2023, the total number of tourist arrivals amounted to 2.5m, while the total number of tourist nights amounted to 13.5m. On a YoY basis, this represents growth of 15%, and 4%, respectively. Compared to 2019, September recorded 10% more tourist arrivals, and 6% more tourist nights. Finally, on a YTD basis compared to 2019, the total arrivals are roughly the same, while the total nights are only 1% lower.

The latest report on the performance of Croatian tourism has been released, for the month of September 2023. According to the report, the total number of tourist arrivals amounted to 2.5m, representing an increase of 15% YoY. Of this, foreign tourist arrivals amounted to 2.27m, an increase of 15%, while domestic tourist arrivals amounted to 242.2k, an increase of 14% YoY.

Moving on to tourist nights, it amounted to a total of 13.5m, representing an increase of 4% YoY. Of this number, foreign tourist nights amounted to 12.3m, an increase of 4% YoY, while domestic tourist nights amounted to 1.26m, an increase of 9% YoY. What this could tell us is that despite the fact that both the number of arrivals and tourist nights grew, the average stay per person amounted to 5.37 days, a decline of 9.5% YoY. This continues the trend, as both July and August recorded YoY declines as well, of 4% and 2.9%, respectively.

Total tourist arrivals and tourist nights in Croatia (January 2019 – September 2023)

Source: HTZ, InterCapital Research

Breaking down the tourist nights by the type of accommodation, 85% of the nights were registered in commercial accommodation, 10% in non-commercial, and 5% was registered in nautical accommodation. Inside the commercial accommodation, the largest share is held by private accommodation, which recorded 4.3m, or 38% of the total. Following them there is hotel accommodation at 29%, or 3.4m, and camps, at 25%, or 2.9m. The remaining 8% was recorded in the other types of accommodation. In terms of the performance of the markets from where the tourist nights were recorded, Germany recorded 32% of all tourist nights, followed by Austria at 10%, Croatia at 9%, as well as Slovenia and Poland, both at 7%, respectively.

Meanwhile, looking at best-performing counties, the largest number of tourist nights was recorded in Istra, which recorded 3.95m tourist nights, followed by Splitsko-dalmatinska at 2.69m, Kvarner at 2.27m, Zadarska at 1.7m, and Dubrovačko-neretvanska, at 1.21m. In terms of the YTD performance, by September 2023 9% higher arrivals were recorded, and 3% higher nights than the same period last year.

Meanwhile, compared to 2019, September 2023 recorded 10% higher arrivals and 6% higher nights. Of this, foreign arrivals increased by 8%, while domestic arrivals increased by 32%. On the other hand, foreign nights grew by 8%, while domestic nights decreased by 14%. Finally, on a YTD basis compared to 2019, the total arrivals remained roughly the same, supported by the 16% growth in domestic arrivals, but a 2% decrease in foreign arrivals. On the flipside, total nights decreased by 1%, driven by the 4% decline in domestic nights, while the foreign nights remained roughly the same.

There are several insights that can be made here. Firstly, the growth in September, both as compared to last year and 2019, could be attributed to the fact that the other 2 months, i.e. July and August recorded somewhat lower numbers. Since those 2 months, and especially the end of July/beginning of August, are what’s considered the peak of the seasons, so are the prices highest during those periods. Combined with the overall double-digit accommodation prices we have been witnessing being reported all summer in the media, this isn’t surprising. What is a positive development, however, is that at least some of those missed arrivals and nights were compensated in September, when the weather is still good, and the prices are more affordable. As such, the decline in the beginning and middle of the tourism season was compensated in September. Overall, this would mean that finally, after 4 years, Croatia was able to reach a parity in the number of arrivals and tourist nights.