The post-season is becoming serious business: 58% of Croatian passengers plan to travel then.
More than half of Croatian travellers are planning a trip in the shoulder season, with smaller crowds and more affordable prices being the main motives. For accommodation sector that opens up space for a longer season, but also calls for more active sales, wider distribution and amenities that give guests a reason to come after August.
September and October are no longer just a period for Croatian accommodation providers to wait for the last wave of summer demand. According to Booking.com's data, 58% of Croatian travellers plan to travel in the shoulder season. Among them, as many as 80% want to avoid destinations with large numbers of visitors, while 55% cite the opportunity to save money as their motivation.
The change also fits into a broader European trend. The European Travel Commission states that 81% Europeans plan to travel between June and November 2026, four percentage points more than a year earlier. Southern and Mediterranean Europe remain among the most sought-after regions.
A discount helps, but it is not the whole strategy
Croatian accommodation facilities They are already adapting their sales to that demand. According to Booking.com data for the Croatian market, 79% of properties report that special off-season rates or packages deliver positive results, while 87% consider the online platform an effective channel for securing bookings during that period.
The European Accommodation Barometer shows a similar pattern. Across Europe, 721 TP3T of respondents rate off-season rates and packages positively, and 811 TP3T view online platforms as an effective sales channel. Social media, paid search and email remain part of the broader distribution mix.
For Croatian hoteliers and private accommodation providers, the message is quite clear: selling the shoulder season requires active price and channel management, rather than waiting for organic demand.
Events can fill quieter periods
Even more interesting potential comes from event tourism. Among Croatian properties that have benefited from event-driven travel, 721 TP3T have recorded revenue per room growth, and 801 TP3T have seen more bookings during periods of lower demand.
This is particularly relevant for Croatian coastal destinations. A festival, a sports competition, a congress or a gastronomic programme can be a reason to travel even after the end of the traditional summer season.
At the same time, the guest's motivation also changes. Booking.com's global research shows that 43% of travellers want to avoid overcrowded destinations, and 42% plan to travel outside the main season. Therefore, the off-season is no longer just a cheaper version of summer. For a segment of the market, it is becoming the preferred time to travel.
