Foreign tourist arrivals in Croatia increased by 6% during the first five months of 2026, although June saw a decline in arrivals and overnight stays compared to previous months. Tourist arrivals in May 2026 grew by 11%, showing strong growth prior to the June dip.
Tourism Revenue Growth and European Ranking
Tourism revenue in Croatia increased by 9.2% in the first quarter of 2026, alongside growth in both arrivals and overnight stays. Eurostat data places Croatia as the country with the fourth-highest tourism growth rate in Europe during the first half of 2026, outperforming Mediterranean destinations including Greece, Italy, and Spain.
Impact of German Market and Seasonal Patterns
Germany accounts for about 25%
of all visitors to Croatia. Monthly tourism figures fluctuate due to factors such as differing school holiday schedules in Germany in 2026 compared to 2025, which influenced tourist traffic trends.
Government Response and Tourism Outlook
Croatia’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, stated the June dip should not be viewed in isolation and that the first half of 2026 paints a more positive picture. He highlighted that Croatia remains competitive against other Mediterranean destinations based on first-quarter results.
Glavina said the tourism sector has been preparing for heavier reliance on last-minute bookings in July and August 2026. The government encourages the tourism industry to
introduce attractive offers and promotional campaigns to stimulate bookings amid geopolitical uncertainty, rising travel costs, and reduced consumer purchasing power across Europe.
Proposed Hospitality Law
The Croatian government has submitted a proposed Law on Hospitality Activities to Parliament aimed at tackling unregistered tourism and hospitality businesses. The law seeks to strengthen monitoring and enforcement, improve transparency, simplify procedures, and expand digitalisation in the tourism sector.
