Croatia achieves growth in arrivals and overnight stays by the end of August
In the first eight months of 2026, Croatia recorded 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays, one percent more than last year. August exceeded five million arrivals for the first time, but slower growth in overnight stays confirms a change in guest behavior.
At the press conference held today, 10 September, presented were Croatia's tourism results for the first eight months of the year. According to data from the eVisitor and eCrew systems, 86.7 million overnight stays were achieved on the Adriatic, 0.5 percent more than last year, while on the mainland, including Zagreb, 3.8 million overnight stays were recorded, representing an increase of one percent.
August for the first time above five million arrivals
August brought more than five million arrivals and 31.4 million overnight stays. Arrivals increased by two percent, while the number of overnight stays rose by 0.5 percent.
Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina assessed that the results confirm the competitiveness of Croatian tourism, particularly given the market circumstances and changes in travellers' habits.
„We have had a truly extraordinary eight months behind us and a summer season in which, despite numerous challenges, we achieved growth in key indicators,“ said Glavina.
He singled out in particular the difference between the trends in arrivals and overnight stays.
„We have been saying all along that trips would be shorter and that guests would manage their budgets more rationally, and the difference between the growth in arrivals and the somewhat milder growth in overnight stays confirms precisely these trends, the minister stated.
A similar pattern was already visible in July. According to the CBS, in commercial accommodation at the time, the number of arrivals rose by 2.7 per cent and the number of overnight stays by 1.2 per cent compared to July 2025.
Prices remain one of the main topics
Glavina also linked part of the result to the sector's reaction to the issue of price competitiveness.
„I would like to thank the entire sector for its cooperation, commitment and readiness to respond to the challenges of this season, particularly regarding price competitiveness,“ he said.
Even before the main part of the season began, the Ministry singled out the price-quality ratio as one of the main challenges, when it warned of more restrained demand in key source markets.
Germany remains the largest foreign market
In the first eight months, Germans generated the most overnight stays, at 16.9 million. They are followed by domestic guests with 11.7 million, Slovenians with 9.6 million, and Austrians and Poles with 6.3 million overnight stays each.
With 25.4 million overnight stays, Istria is the leading tourism region, ahead of Split-Dalmatia County with over 17 million and Kvarner with 15.2 million overnight stays.
For the sector, the second important part of the year is now beginning. A record number of guests in August confirms that demand for Croatia has not weakened, but slower growth in overnight stays shows that success can no longer be judged solely by arrival numbers. Length of stay, expenditure, prices and the post-season result will be more important indicators of the overall quality of the 2026 tourism year.
