Croatia recorded a 306% increase in visitors over the winter holidays

144,000 tourists visited the Mediterranean destination between Christmas Eve and Epiphany

Between 24 December 2021 and 6 January 2022, Croatia recorded 144,000 arrivals and 424,000 overnight stays. These numbers are impressive considering that the pandemic is still present, causing anxiety and hindering people from travelling. 

This data is even more impressive when one compares it to that of the 2020/2021 season as it reveals a 306% and 190% increase in arrivals and overnight stays, respectively. 

Croatian cities prepared attractive offers

The Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB), Kristjan Stanicic, commented on the results achieved over the winter holidays sharing that they confirm the country’s reputation as a safe destination. Although this reputation undoubtedly attracted many tourists, it is not the only element that drew visitors to the Mediterranean destination.  

Stanicic expanded on this point, noting that cities such as Opatija, Dubrovnik, Split, Osijek, and Zagreb prepared attractive offers in compliance with the epidemiological measures. Another Croatian city worth mentioning is Rijeka, which recently launched winter passes, giving tourists access to numerous attractions for free. 

Goals for 2022

The number of visitors and overnight stays recorded over the holiday season bodes well for the coming year. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the country realised 73% and 76% of the arrivals and overnight stays it achieved in 2019/2020, respectively. In other words, Croatia is coming closer and closer to its pre-pandemic levels. 

Witnessing this growth, the destination has now set out to achieve 90% of the record 2019 results in 2022. What is more, Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac revealed that the tourism sector will focus on maintaining the image of Croatia as a safe location whilst focusing on becoming a year-round tourist destination. 

To achieve these targets, Stanicic and Brnjac are urging people to get vaccinated in order to help position the country as a safe destination.