Austrians aren't giving up on the Adriatic: Security and proximity are key advantages for Summer 2026.
Although inflation and rising costs are shaping travel budgets, the Austrian market is showing exceptional resilience, with Croatia holding a firm position at the very top of their summer plans.
A stable position in a demanding market
The new season brings old habits for Austrian travellers, but with a clearer focus on the value they get for their money. According to fresh from the analysis data „Summer Holiday 2026“, Which is traditionally carried out by the Austrian automobile club ÖAMTC, the vast majority of its citizens plan to travel abroad. In this context, Croatia has positioned itself as the second most sought-after foreign destination, immediately behind neighbouring Italy. As many as 16 percent of Austrians crossing the border this summer are choosing the Croatian coast, which confirms the high loyalty of guests from this market.
For home tourism sector This data is extremely important because it shows that interest is not decreasing despite economic pressures. Austrian tourists have an average budget of €1,189 per person for their summer holiday this year. While they are carefully considering the price-quality ratio, their desire to travel remains unchanged.
By car to verified destinations
Travel logistics continue to favour domestic renters and hoteliers. Almost 70 percent of Austrian tourists intend to go on holiday by own car, what makes the northern Adriatic position ideal. The main reasons for going on holiday are the sea and the coast, and Istria and Kvarner they continue to lead as the most sought-after regions.
What sets Croatia apart in the eyes of Austrian guests, besides its geographical proximity, is the perception of safety. With strictly defined budgets, it is precisely safety that has become one of the decisive factors when choosing a holiday destination. When you add to this the fact that a large proportion of respondents have already secured their bookings or plan to do so in the near future, the predictability of capacity occupancy in the coming weeks is significantly higher.
Hotels and campsites are registering early growth
The fact that positive trends from paper are already spilling over into practice is also shown by operational data from the field. Austrian guests have achieved more than a million overnight stays on the Croatian market so far this year, which is a jump of seven percent compared to the same period last year. In the structure of accommodation Hotels and campsites are the most sought-after., suggesting that guests are seeking either a high level of service or a specific nature experience that our campsites offer.
This early growth in traffic is a clear signal for DMC managers and hoteliers that marketing and sales activities towards Austria must remain focused on highlighting service quality and price transparency. The Austrian guest is loyal, but in the current economic circumstances, they seek clear confirmation that they are receiving maximum value for their money.
