A session of the Council for the Management of Tourism Development was held

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also participated in the session of the Council for the Management of Tourism Development, which was held as part of the Croatian Tourism Day, and congratulated the tourism workers on the results achieved, saying that Croatia had achieved more than expected this year.

"Croatia is better both in terms of arrivals and overnight stays than we expected. The figure of approximately 21 million tourists and 110 million overnight stays is the framework in which we are moving in the last few successful post-pandemic years, and therefore I congratulate you on these achievements that are important for the Croatian tourism and the Croatian economy as a whole", the prime minister pointed out.

He reminded that the meetings of tourism workers and members of the Government began informally a few years ago as part of the Croatian Tourism Day, and that they became institutionalized with the adoption of the new legal framework.

"I think it is very good that we meet twice a year in order to consider the situation in Croatian tourism, listen to each other and, at different levels of responsibility and competence, try to make new strides so that the entire sector functions better", asserted Plenković and added that Croatia has the third highest GDP growth among European Union countries, the inflation rate has decreased, while the share of public debt in GDP at the end of the year was revised to 57,4%, with the highest employment rate ever in Croatia. There is no doubt, he said, that such economic strength and healthy situation was significantly affected by the tourism sector. 

Istria County achieved the most overnight stays - 29,5 million, followed by Split-Dalmatia County with 19,1 million and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County with 17,8 million overnight stays. Since the beginning of the year, continental counties have achieved around 1,2 million arrivals and 2,5 million overnight stays, which is a growth of 5% more in arrivals and 4,4% more in overnight stays compared to 2023. When it comes to markets where tourists come to us, the largest number of overnight stays is still from Germany, followed by Slovenia, Austria and Poland.

The Prime Minister stated that by November 15, accounts worth 6 billion and 816 million euros had been fiscalized, which is an increase of 11% compared to a year ago. In that period, almost 390 million invoices were issued in the activities of providing accommodation services, preparing and serving food and beverages, and in the activities of travel agencies and tour operators. This is 5% more than in the same period last year.

When it comes to income from foreign tourists in the first half of 2024, they amounted to 4 billion and 130 million euros, which represents a growth of 7,5%, and from the beginning of the year to November 15, traffic of 69 million vehicles was recorded on the highways , that is, 8% more than for the same period last year, Plenković stated. Tolls were collected in the amount of 450 million euros excluding VAT, which is 13% more than last year.

In addition, the number of passengers in airports across Croatia is growing by about 20% on average. In addition, the results in the postseason are also excellent, because in November we have even 18% more arrivals and 19% more overnight stays than last year. We have numerous Advent events all over Croatia ahead of us, so we expect that this will also contribute to good results, he said.

He emphasized the importance of significant investments in the tourism sector, which are implemented from national funds and through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. 

"So far, 80 contracts in the amount of 357 million euros have been signed, which means that in the big EU project of the next generation, we took care of this segment of the Croatian economy, which means a lot to us."

On this occasion, the Prime Minister once again warned that everyone must take care of the price policy, that is, be realistic in the formation of prices.

"This season was very good in all aspects. However, I think it is very important that this segment of sustainability is such that the price policy and the services received for that price are maintained. We cannot be unreasonable here because the economic situation in the countries of the Union, whose economic growth is not as fast and high as in Croatia, it will inevitably be felt at some point. And if it is felt, then our results will be weaker. We live in a market economy, you are experienced businessmen, you understand the laws of supply and demand, as well as competition , and therefore we have to keep the reputation of Croatia at the level of attractiveness. We have to be attractive, and this must also apply to attractive prices.", the prime minister told the gathered tourism workers.

At the Council meeting, Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina presented the course of the tourism development management reform, Deputy Prime Minister Marko Primorac spoke about the new round of tax reform, Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić presented the national housing policy plan with special reference to activities related to the tourism sector, Deputy Prime Minister Davor Božinović presented amendments to the Law on Foreigners and spoke about the issue of security during the tourist season, State Secretary Ivan Vidiš presented the measures of an active employment policy in tourism, and the director of the Croatian Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić gave an overview of this year's season, as well as plans for next year.

Source and photo: Government of the Republic of Croatia