The city of Poreč has once again confirmed its status as one of the flagships of Croatian tourism, reaching the impressive figure of one million tourist overnight stays on June 23rd, a full three days earlier compared to the previous year. This outstanding result is not just a statistical indicator, but a clear confirmation of a successful strategy, continuous growth, and the exceptional popularity that this Istrian destination enjoys among visitors from all over the world. Achieving this goal already in June testifies to an extremely strong pre-season and sets optimistic expectations for the peak of the summer season, positioning Poreč firmly at the top of the list of the most visited destinations in Croatia.

Detailed Analysis of Tourist Figures

Precise data from the eVisitor system reveal the depth of this success. In the period from January 1st to June 23rd, 2025, more than 241 thousand arrivals were recorded in the area of the City of Poreč, which represents a significant increase of seven percent compared to the same period last year. In parallel, the total number of overnight stays exceeded one million, recording a growth of six percent. These numbers illustrate not only a quantitative increase but also a qualitative shift in strengthening pre-season tourist traffic, which is a long-term strategic goal of the destination.

An analysis of emitting markets shows the continued dominance of traditionally most loyal guests. Germany and Austria together account for almost half of all overnight stays, confirming their key role for Poreč tourism. It is interesting that Austrian guests are the leaders in the number of arrivals, while German tourists, as in previous years, achieve the highest number of overnight stays, which indicates their preference for a longer stay. Alongside these giants, excellent results are also shown by the markets of Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and the Czech Republic, which ensures a healthy dispersion and stability of the tourism sector.

The exceptional growth of the domestic market is particularly noteworthy. Croatian guests have shown increased interest in vacationing in Poreč, resulting in an increase in overnight stays of as much as 22 percent and an increase in the number of arrivals by 20 percent. Domestic tourists now account for more than 17 percent of total arrivals, and their share in overnight stays exceeds 11 percent. This data signals that Poreč is becoming increasingly attractive to Croatians as well, especially in periods outside the main summer peak, which further contributes to year-round business operations. Guests from neighboring Slovenia also show constant loyalty, with more than 33 thousand arrivals and over 95 thousand overnight stays, maintaining almost the identical level as last year. A positive trend is also recorded by Italian visitors, with a continuous growth in arrivals and overnight stays, while guests from Serbia achieved an impressive 14 percent more overnight stays. Among other important markets contributing to the success are the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Belgium, which are recording stable or growing indicators.

The Key to Success: A Diverse Offer and a Rich Summer Program

The Tourist Board of the City of Poreč does not hide its satisfaction with the achieved results, emphasizing that they are not the result of chance, but the result of systematic work, good preparation, and strategic thinking. Continuous investments in tourist infrastructure, targeted promotion in key markets, and, above all, the development of a diverse offer that meets the modern needs of guests, have proven to be a winning combination. Poreč has long profiled itself as a destination that offers much more than sun and sea.

This year's program of the "Poreč Summer 2025" event is a perfect example of this diversity. During the summer months, the city transforms into a large open-air stage, offering content for all tastes and generations. Among the novelties, "Mystic Forest" stands out, an innovative evening experience that combines silk dancing, light installations, and music, creating a mystical atmosphere in a Mediterranean forest. An exciting new feature is the "POCO – Poreč Cocktail Festival", which will be held on July 11th and 12th, bringing together regional cocktail masters. "Gelato Park – World of Ice Cream Wonders", which takes place from June 27th to 29th, offering a kingdom of ice cream flavors for the whole family, has already gained great popularity. Music lovers can enjoy the jubilee 30th edition of the "Jazz in the Lapidarium" event and the 64th season of "Concerts in the Euphrasiana", held in the unique ambiance of the UNESCO Basilica. All these events, along with numerous other sports and gastronomic events, create added value and a unique experience that guests recognize and appreciate.

Strategic Investments and Sustainable Development as a Guarantee for the Future

The growth of tourist traffic in Poreč is also based on significant investments that raise the quality of accommodation and the entire offer. Currently the largest single investment in Croatian tourism, Valamar's Pical project worth 200 million euros, will transform Poreč into a destination with a luxury hotel of the highest category that will operate throughout the year. The 514-room hotel will also contain the largest congress center in Istria with a capacity for 1200 participants, which opens the door to the development of business tourism, one of the key segments for extending the season. This project also brings direct benefits to the local community through an estimated 3 million euros annually to the city budget and through publicly accessible beaches, promenades, recreational trails, and swimming pools.

In parallel with large investments, Poreč is strongly focused on sustainable development. The city is actively investing in environmentally friendly infrastructure such as solar panels and water-saving systems, developing cycling and walking paths to reduce traffic congestion, and protecting its rich cultural heritage, with special emphasis on the Euphrasian Basilica. The promotion of local family farms, winemakers, and olive growers through gastronomic events strengthens the link between tourism and local production, while spatial planning measures aim to prevent excessive construction and preserve a high quality of life for residents. This approach, which balances economic growth with the preservation of resources and community well-being, is key to the long-term stability and success of Poreč tourism.