Croatians spent 1.09 billion euros on foreign trips
Spending on private trips abroad increased by 27 percent in the first half of 2026. For travel agencies, this is an incentive to develop their offerings, but also a reason to pay closer attention to what travelers are getting for their money.
The Croatian outbound travel market is attracting an increasingly large consumer budget. According to Croatian National Bank data reported by Večernji list, Croatian citizens spent 1.09 billion euros on private trips abroad in the first six months of 2026. This was 233 million euros more than in the same period a year earlier.
Growth accelerated further between April and June. Consumption reached 639 million euros in the second quarter, with an annual increase of 34 percent. However, the result for the first half of the year is not yet confirmation of the new annual record.
A larger budget does not explain every choice of destination
Josip Mikulić, a professor at Zagreb’s Faculty of Economics, told Večernji list that the growth is linked to greater purchasing power, easier travel following entry into the euro area and the Schengen Area, and better air connectivity. He also warns that domestic prices affect the competitiveness of Croatia’s tourism offer.
However, it is not possible to conclude from the total consumption how many citizens have replaced their summer vacation in Croatia with a holiday in another country. Private trips also include visits to family, skiing, Advent trips and city breaks.
The scope of the data also matters when interpreting it for business purposes. The Croatian National Bank records travel and international passenger transport separately in the balance of payments. The stated amount should therefore not be equated with the total value of packages sold or the revenue of Croatian travel agencies.
An opportunity for agencies that know how to explain the value of travel
From the perspective of travel agencies and tour operators, the growth in spending justifies more careful planning of departure programs. However, greater overall spending in itself does not guarantee more bookings or a better margin for individual agencies.
It makes sense to build offers for different budgets and travel motives. Some clients will seek an affordable short break, while others will spend more on a higher-quality hotel, better flight schedules or a more comprehensive programme. When comparing travel packages, an agency can help by clearly presenting the total cost, including baggage, transfers and supplements.
For domestic hotel owners, these figures are a reason to reassess how attractive their offer is to the Croatian guest. The competition for their budget includes foreign destinations as well. Family packages, shorter stays, and off-season offers can be an opportunity to respond, with the price that the guest can associate with a specific value.
