In May 2025, Croatia experienced a decline in the number of foreign tourists, particularly from Germany, with a 60% drop in Istria, linked to changes in holiday calendars and economic factors such as inflation and uncertainty. Although arrivals decreased, domestic tourists increased their overnight stays, somewhat mitigating the overall decline. The director of the Croatian Tourist Board states that the season is proceeding as expected, with potential growth in the pre-season and post-season. The situation varies by region, and German tourists remain an important segment of Croatian tourism, though they show signs of caution and reduced travel.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the economic challenges affecting tourism, such as inflation and the cost of living, which lead to reduced travel plans among German tourists. They highlight the need for sustainable tourism policies and support for domestic tourism to compensate for the decline in foreign visitors.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the decline in foreign tourists as a result of calendar shifts and economic factors, presenting balanced views with data on both decreases in foreign arrivals and increases in domestic tourism. They focus on the resilience of the Croatian tourism sector and the expectations for the upcoming season.
Right: Right-leaning media stress the importance of German tourists as loyal and key visitors to Croatia, expressing concern over the significant drop in their numbers. They emphasize the need for maintaining Croatia’s attractiveness and competitiveness as a tourist destination, while also highlighting the positive aspects such as longer stays by those who do visit.
