Croatia: Domestic Tourism in July Experiences Sharp Decline Compared to 2021
A total of 4.3 million arrivals and 25.3 million overnight stays were recorded in Croatia during July, with these rates increasing by 22.9 per cent and 20.6 per cent, compared to the same time in 2021, respectively.
According to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, the number of overnight stays recorded in July remains below pre-pandemic levels by one per cent, while the total number of arrivals increased by 0.4 per cent, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
However, domestic tourism dropped by 8.8 per cent, and overnight stays by 8.9 per cent compared to 2021, marking 335,000 arrivals and 1.6 million nights spent. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, domestic tourism was up by 14.7 per cent for arrivals and 8.9 per cent for overnight stays.
As per international arrivals, a total of four million tourists, spending 3.7 million overnight stays, were recorded in July 2022 – 26.6 per cent more arrivals and 23.3 per cent more nights spent than in July 2021. Compared to 2019 levels, the number of foreign tourists is down by 0.7 per cent and 1.6 per cent for overnight stays.
Germany was the source market for foreign tourists to Croatia in July – with a total of 679,000 arrivals, accounting for 16.9 per cent of total arrivals and 21.2 per cent of all overnight stays spent by foreigners, accounting for five million nights spent.
The top spots for German tourists were Istria, and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, with these tourists also marking a surge of 12.9 per cent in arrivals and 5.2 per cent for overnight stays.
“They are followed by overnight stays by tourists from Slovenia (11.8 per cent), the Czech Republic (9.6 per cent), Poland (nine per cent) and Austria (7.7 per cent). Compared to July 2021, all mentioned countries, except Poland, achieved an increase in tourist arrivals and overnight stays. The number of tourist arrivals from Poland fell by 8.6 per cent, and the number of overnight stays by ten per cent,” the report reads.
Furthermore, half of the tourist overnight stays in July – 29.7 per cent were recorded in Istria and Split-Dalmatia counties, accounting for 1.1 million arrivals and 7.4 million overnight stays. Compared to 2021 levels, tourist arrivals and overnight stays were up by 18.1 per cent, and 20.6 per cent overnight stays.
Interestingly enough, the highest number of overnight stays recorded in July of 2022 was recorded by tourists under the age of 14 years – a total of 5.9 million nights spent, which is 23.5 per cent of the total overnight stays.
