Tourism and sports in Croatia during 2024 have flourished, with positive results laying a strong foundation for even more ambitious plans in 2025. The Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) have introduced a series of initiatives and strategic plans to maintain the growth trend, focusing on sustainability, quality of offerings, and infrastructure modernization.

Tourism Development in 2024

According to official data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Croatia recorded over 21 million tourist arrivals and around 108 million overnight stays in 2024. This represents growth compared to the previous year, with particular emphasis on the pre-season and post-season, confirming the success of the year-round tourism strategy.

Financial results mirror positive trends, with tourism revenues exceeding 4 billion euros in the first half of 2024. The Croatian National Bank reported a 7.5% growth in revenues compared to the previous year, further confirming the importance of tourism as a key sector of the national economy.

Digitalization and Modernization in Tourism

Digital transformation of the tourism sector is one of the key priorities of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in 2025. The introduction of advanced digital tools to monitor tourism trends, manage destinations, and facilitate personalized communication with visitors is planned.

Additionally, further investments in infrastructure are announced, including the modernization of transport hubs and improvements in the accessibility of remote destinations. These projects aim to reduce seasonal pressure and encourage balanced tourism development at the national level.

Sustainable Development and Ecological Standards

Sustainable development remains a key pillar of the tourism strategy for the next decade. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports emphasizes the importance of preserving natural resources, reducing waste, and increasing energy efficiency in the tourism sector. The goal is to create a balance between economic growth and the preservation of the natural environment.

Investments in Sports Infrastructure

Alongside tourism achievements, Croatia is making significant progress in the sports sector. The Government of the Republic of Croatia has allocated a record 160 million euros for the development of sports infrastructure and encouraging citizen participation in sports activities.

Special attention is being paid to the development of local sports centers and support for young talents, with the aim of building a strong sports base for future generations.

Plans for 2025

The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Tonči Glavina, emphasized that reforms aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the tourism sector and improving conditions for sports development will continue in 2025. Special attention will be focused on rational pricing of tourism services to ensure good value for money.

HTZ plans to strengthen Croatia's international presence through targeted marketing campaigns, participation in global fairs, and strengthening relationships with key partners in the tourism industry.

Challenges and Opportunities

Although the results are encouraging, the tourism and sports sectors face challenges such as labor shortages, the need for infrastructure improvements, and maintaining ecological balance. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, plans a strategic approach to addressing these issues through systematic reforms and targeted investments.

Croatia has achieved significant successes in tourism and sports during 2024, laying a solid foundation for further development in 2025. The focus on sustainability, digitalization, infrastructure investments, and strengthening international competitiveness are key elements of the strategy that will ensure long-term success in both sectors.