According to the eVisitor system, which contains tourist traffic realized in commercial and non-commercial facilities and the nautical charter (eCrew system), from January to end-December tourism in 2017 was 18.5 million arrivals (+13 percent) and 102 million overnight stays (+12 how much). It is about the historical tourist results for Croatia, which this year confirmed the position of one of the most popular tourist destinations that attracts more and more guests during all parts of the year.
Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli and Director of the Croatian Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić are pleased with these results and in 2018 they announce a stronger development of all-year tourism based on sustainable development and destination management.
“Tourism results in 2017, especially during and after the season, are the best indicator of how to make a key positive step in the short term. It is for this reason that our intentions and in 2018 continue with the advancements in order to further position Croatia as a year-round destination, thus enabling more competitive entrepreneurship in tourism, further investments, better conditions for tourism workers and further stimulation of the entire Croatian economy. In addition to the key legislative changes and other programs and activities of the Ministry of Tourism and the Croatian Tourist Board, I believe that 2018 will be very successful and that we will create new foundations for further development of Croatian tourism, “said Minister Cappelli.
Director Staničić emphasized the importance of retaining positive trends this year “During the year 2018, the Croatian National Tourist Board will carry out a series of activities aimed at more efficient promotion in different markets around the world, and enhancing cooperation with partners on foreign broadcasting markets. The emphasis will be on the further expansion of the program and the introduction of new aviolines. I am sure that the Croatian tourism sector, which is becoming richer and more competitive every year, will be rewarded with its unimaginable contribution. Namely, Croatia is a very interesting and popular destination today, both for tourists and business people, and in order to maintain their interest we must maintain a positive atmosphere and growth trends, “said Director Staničić.
The Croatian tourist offer, this year, will be presented at 26 tourist fairs where the Croatian National Tourist Board will perform. From that number, there will be realized performances at 9 specialized fairs, including nautical, congress and camping offerings, while the new visual concept and new creative solution of the HTZ stand will be presented for the first time at the ITB Berlin fair in March. With the aim of achieving even better results on individual markets, it is envisaged to expand the current network of representations with new offices in China – Shanghai, South Korea – Seoul, USA – Los Angeles and Italy – Rome.
Recorded years in arrivals and overnight stays
Looking at the period from January to December, foreign tourists realized 16.5 million arrivals (+14 percent) and 89.8 million nights (+12 percent), while domestic tourists recorded 12 million overnight stays and 14 percent growth . In the period from January to late December, most of the overnight stays were realized in Istria (28 million overnight stays), Split-Dalmatia County (19 million overnights) and Kvarner (18.6 million overnight stays). Following are Zadar County (13.7 million overnights), Dubrovnik-Neretva County with 8.5 million overnights, Šibenik-Knin with 7.1 million overnight stays, Lika-Senj County with 3.2 million overnights and Zagreb with 2.3 million overnights . There were 2 million overnight stays (+15 percent) on the continent, and most of the overnight stays were realized in Karlovac County (576 thousand overnight stays), Krapina-Zagorje County (322 thousand nights) and Osijek-Baranja County (188 thousand overnights).
During the twelve months most of the overnight stays were made by tourists from Germany (20.7 million overnights), Slovenia (10.1 million overnights), Austria (7.6 million overnights), Poland (6.3 million overnights) and the Czech Republic (5.4 million nights). Outside European countries, most of the overnight stays were made by guests from the United States (1.4 million overnight stays), Australia (667 thousand nights), South Korea (533 thousand nights), Canada (415 thousand nights) and China (237 thousand overnight stays).
Top destinations for overnight stays are Dubrovnik, Rovinj, Poreč, Medulin and Umag. Of the total number of overnight stays, most were realized in households (35 million nights), hotels (25 million overnight stays) and camps (19 million overnights), while 3.2 million overnight stays were made during the nautical charter for twelve months.
Tourism revenue during July, August and September 2017: up 9.8 percent
According to the Croatian National Bank (CNB) data, in the first nine months of 2017 tourism revenues amounted to EUR 8 billion and EUR 724 million, which represents a 10 percent increase over the same period last year (EUR 7 billion and EUR 902 million)
In the third quarter or July, August and September 2017, tourism revenues amounted to EUR 5 billion and EUR 992 million from foreign visitors, representing a 10 percent increase over the same period last year (EUR 5 billion and EUR 459 million) ie EUR 533 million.
In the first nine months, the share of travel-tourism revenue in total GDP at current prices was 24 percent, which is 0.9 percentage points higher than in the same period last year.