Number of arrivals in tourist accommodation Croatia 2006-2021

Tourism in Croatia began to recover in 2021, with 12.8 million arrivals recorded in travel accommodation in the country that year. The impact of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 saw tourist arrivals drop down to just seven million in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, tourism in Croatia had been steadily rising, peaking at 19.6 million arrivals in 2019. The figures include both residents and non-residents.

Tourism in Croatia

In line with trends across Europe, tourism in Croatia experienced a boost during the last decade. International tourists account for the majority of arrivals in accommodation in Croatia, and the country has maintained its popularity as a vacation destination for European and global visitors alike. With its array of coastal towns and resorts on the Adriatic Sea, it is a key destination for cruise tourism, especially the port of Dubrovnik. Tourism in Dubrovnik also intensified in part thanks to the HBO TV series Game of Thrones, which used the old town as a prominent filming location. To help tackle issues with overcrowding within the old town city walls, the city of Dubrovnik began to coordinate and restrict the number of cruise calls and passengers entering the city.

Hotel capacity in Croatia

Increased tourism demand positively impacted the hotel industry in Croatia, with a greater interest in investment in the sector. Accommodation capacity increased in the last decade, with a steady rise in hotel numbers and available bedspaces. However, the industry suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with fewer hotels operating in 2020.