Split Publishes Tax Data
Ivana Vladović, director of the Split Tourist Board, confirmed a rise in tourist spending according to financial reports, but small private renters warn that their incomes are falling due to rising costs.
Ivana Vladović, director of the Split Tourist Board, confirmed a rise in tourist spending according to financial reports, but small private renters warn that their incomes are falling due to rising costs.
Although forecasts at the start of the year predicted a weaker tourist season, official data for the first seven months of 2026 paint a different picture. According to the eVisitor system, Croatia recorded 12.4 million arrivals and 59.1 million overnight stays from January to the end of July. Of that, 56.1 million overnight stays were realized on the Adriatic, representing a growth of one percent nationally and 0.5 percent on the coast.
However, what draws particular attention is not just the number of guests but also their spending. Ivana Vladović, director of the Split Tourist Board, emphasized that data received from the Tax Administration indicate a positive trend. "We also have higher spending. Unfortunately, it's partly driven by price increases, which haven't only risen here but across the world. According to the financial data we receive from the Tax Administration, we do have higher spending," Vladović stated.
That Croatia is no longer a budget destination is confirmed by visitors themselves. Donna, a tourist from England, compared costs with those in her home country. "I think prices are roughly on par with those in the UK, so they're quite high," she said, adding that she spends around 80 euros a day.
Other guests are spending significantly more. "On average, when I include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I'd say I spend about 100 to 150 euros. And with souvenirs and excursions, for example, maybe up to 200 euros," one of them told RTL Danas.
When it comes to Split, around 202,000 tourists visited the city in July, generating 677,000 overnight stays. Although this is a slight decline compared to last year, significant changes in the guest structure are noticeable. The number of Spaniards increased the most, by 15 percent, followed by Germans, up 12 percent. The number of American tourists rose by four percent.
On the other hand, there was a decline in guests from some traditional markets. The Dutch are down 19 percent this year, while visitors from the United Kingdom are down five percent.
Restaurateurs on the ground note that guests are willing to spend more. Ante Bakotić, manager of the restaurant Fife, believes the visitor profile is somewhat different than in previous years. "I think we have even slightly higher-quality guests this season. There are fewer people, but they spend better. They don't look at prices at all, as far as we're concerned. They're here for better food, fish, a bottle of wine," Bakotić said.
However, higher tourist spending does not automatically mean higher earnings for all tourism stakeholders. Small family renters warn of serious pressure from rising operating costs. "Incomes will be lower, prices have stayed the same, and costs have risen. So what renters end up earning will certainly be worth much less than last year," warned Hana Matić from the association Save Small Family Renters.
