President of the Croatian National Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić appeared on HRT's central news program, commenting on excellent July results, rising spending, and the growing trend of last-minute bookings.
Kristjan Staničić, President of the Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB), appeared on HRT's central news program on Monday, August 10, 2026, to provide an overview of the tourist season so far. He stated that the season is exceeding expectations and that the country is practically full of guests. "These days, over 1.1 million tourists are staying in Croatian accommodation facilities," Staničić emphasized, announcing continued positive tourist traffic during the peak of the season.
However, he placed the greatest emphasis on changing traveler habits. He described the season as being marked by pronounced last-minute bookings. "It's a game of nerves; you need to be patient and have all the tools at your disposal to be effective in the last-minute segment," Staničić told HRT. He added that guests are increasingly choosing destinations at the last moment, with several key factors influencing their decisions: prices, availability, safety, and the quality of the offer. "Value for money is crucial," he stressed.
Staničić also pointed out an interesting shift in arrival patterns. Saturday used to be the main day for guest turnover, but now Monday is increasingly taking on that role. This detail further confirms the flexibility of modern tourists and their preference for shorter but more frequent vacations planned on the go.
Commenting on the structure of visitors, the head of the CNTB highlighted Croatia's strong position in the key German market, as well as the continued positive trend from the Hungarian and Polish markets. "The return of guests from the Czech Republic is pleasing," he added. Alongside domestic guests, Croatia is also recording a significant influx of tourists from overseas markets. "Many Americans are coming; we've seen growth in tourist traffic for several years in a row. I expect we will continue at this pace," Staničić stated, describing the current "market mix" that encompasses all of Europe and beyond.
In addition to overnight stays and arrivals, positive signals are also coming from the spending sector. July saw a strong increase in the value of fiscalized receipts of as much as 18 percent. "It's a fact that a higher number of receipts was issued. Spending was higher than in the same period last year," he confirmed. As he explained, the eVisitor system is just one indicator of success, and positive numbers are also visible at ferry ports and on highways. Staničić called for patience before the final tally, noting that the post-season is still ahead, and a full analysis will only follow at the end of the year.
He also addressed the concerns of small renters who are dissatisfied with the increase in lump-sum taxes. Staničić does not expect a significant reduction in the supply of private accommodation. He asserted that the decisions of the Government and the relevant ministry are, in the long run, in their favor. The changes to the Catering Act, in his words, aim to regulate the market and bring a significant portion of non-commercial accommodation into line. "Tourism is a 'long-distance marathon'; that's how we should view the decisions made today, which will have positive effects in due time," Staničić concluded.
