In Budapest, a significant presentation of Croatia was held, organized by the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) in Hungary. The event gathered numerous experts from the tourism industry and media representatives, aiming to promote Croatia as a tourist destination. This presentation focused on showcasing Croatia's diverse offerings, including off-season tourism opportunities, which particularly attracted the attention of the participants.

One of the key elements of the presentation was the emphasis on the current results of tourist traffic from Hungary. According to HTZ data, Hungarian tourists recorded a 10% increase in arrivals and a 9% increase in overnight stays in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year. These results show a constant interest in Croatia, with further growth expected due to intensified efforts in off-season promotion. Although summer remains the most popular time for visits, a special increase was noted in spring and autumn, further highlighting Croatia's potential as a year-round destination.

Participation in the Utazas 2024 fair

In addition to the presentation, HTZ participated in the Utazas 2024 fair, one of the largest tourism fairs in Hungary. The fair took place from February 22 to 25, 2024, and gathered exhibitors from around the world. Croatia's tourism offer generated significant interest, especially among media and business partners, who showed interest in organizing study trips to Croatia. Ivana Herceg, director of the HTZ office in Hungary, emphasized that the results of the current tourist traffic from the Hungarian market are extremely encouraging. In the first part of the year, an increase of 20% in arrivals and even 64% in overnight stays of Hungarian tourists was recorded compared to the previous year.

At the fair, Croatia was highlighted as an attractive destination not only for summer travel but also for spring and autumn trips, which is an important step towards positioning Croatia as a year-round tourist destination. The strong interest in destinations like Kvarner, Zagreb, Rovinj, and Zadar reflects Croatia's broad appeal, extending beyond just coastal areas. The fair was also an opportunity for exchanging experiences and knowledge with key players in the tourism industry and strengthening Croatia's presence in the Hungarian market.

Growth in the popularity of off-season tourism

Besides the traditional summer season, Croatia is seeing increasing interest in travel outside the main tourist season. This trend is supported by the latest data, which show that Hungarian tourists are becoming increasingly interested in visiting Croatia in spring and autumn, rather than just during summer. For instance, this year has seen a record number of arrivals in Kvarner and Zagreb during the spring and autumn months, while summer months remain the strongest in terms of visitor numbers. Presentations and events like Utazas 2024 show how Croatia is increasingly gaining importance as a destination for travel outside the summer months, contributing to the sustainable development of tourism in the country.

This growth is crucial as it contributes to a more even distribution of tourist traffic throughout the year, reducing pressure on infrastructure during the peak season and enabling a more sustainable development of the tourism industry. With additional promotional efforts, positive trends are expected to continue, with a special focus on destinations like Istria, the Dalmatian hinterland, and continental Croatia, which offer rich content and experiences throughout the year.