An excellent pre-season and stable results in the summer months brought record tourist traffic to Central Dalmatia

In the first eight months of this year, the Split-Dalmatia County was visited by 3 million guests according to the e Visitor system, who spent 15,1 million nights in commercial accommodation.

This is a growth of 5 percent in arrivals and slightly more than 2 percent in overnight stays compared to the same period last year. In the first eight months in Central Dalmatia, the largest number of arrivals from foreign markets were achieved by Poles (285.000), Germans (272.000), tourists from BiH (242.000), tourists from the United Kingdom (191.000) and the USA (168.000). The largest number of overnight stays in the first eight months was achieved in Split (2,7 million), Makarska (1,4 million), Omiš, Baška Voda and Seget. 

In the month of August, Central Dalmatia was visited by 925.000 tourists in commercial accommodation who made 5,4 million overnight stays, which is a 3 percent increase in arrivals and an equal, or slight, increase in overnight stays compared to August of the previous year. The largest number of overnight stays in that month were made by guests from Poland, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and Slovakia. 

The previous part of the tourist year was a successful one, he said Ivana Vladović, director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board and adds that so far they have attracted a record number of tourists, more than three million of them, while excellent results in the pre-season point to the continuation of a successful tourist period in the coming months. 

"The continuation of tourist traffic in September brings many more exciting events. From the boat festival in Stari Grad on Hvar, numerous regattas, through cultural events such as the "Split swimming pool", to the last opportunity to discover a unique exhibition of underwater photography on the island of Biševo - this period brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy and explore.

Considering the trends and researches of the European Travel Commission, which indicate the continuation of increased interest in travel, we believe that September will be the perfect time to visit Central Dalmatia. Increased spending in the tourism sector and stable results from the first half of the year confirm that our county continues to attract attention and offers extraordinary experiences." pointed out Vladović.

The European Travel Commission's (ETC) latest report, "Monitoring Intra-European Travel Sentiment - Wave 19," reveals a significant increase in travel interest among Europeans for June-November 2024, recording a 6% increase compared to last year. Thus, the share of respondents planning a trip rose to 75%. 

The study also reveals that 36% of Europeans are planning a trip in the coming months, an increase of 6% compared to the previous year. Another 33% will take a second trip, while only 24% plan to take three or more trips, perhaps indicating that financial pressures continue to affect traveler behavior.

According to ETC data, the European tourism industry continued its recovery in the second quarter of 2024. Foreign
arrivals (+6%) and overnight stays (+7%) exceeded 2019 figures, reflecting year-on-year increases of 12% and 10%.