Croatia and Budva report rising tourism numbers amid economic shifts

Tourism in Croatia and Montenegro shows significant growth and evolving economic trends. In Croatia, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković reported that the current season is performing better than the previous record-breaking year, with 12.4 million arrivals and 59.1 million overnight stays recorded in the first seven months. The government is also implementing relief measures for areas affected by fires, including tax exemptions for private renters.

However, economic experts warn that rising arrival numbers do not always equate to increased revenue. Data suggests a potential decline in real tourism income due to inflation. Experts emphasize that future growth must focus on increasing per-guest spending and adding value rather than just increasing volume.

In Montenegro, the municipality of Budva has seen a substantial rise in registered accommodation capacities, with a 50 percent increase compared to 2023. Local authorities are actively working to move more providers out of the ‘grey zone’ through simplified registration procedures.