Croatia tourism faces rising costs and privacy concerns

Croatia is experiencing a mixed summer 2026 tourism season characterized by high costs and varying visitor trends. Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport shows high overnight stays in Istria, Split-Dalmatia, and Kvarner. While some travel agencies report high occupancy and satisfaction despite rising costs and labor shortages, others note a shift in guest demographics. There is a reported trend toward shorter stays and a rise in budget-conscious travelers, which some local business owners claim is negatively impacting souvenir sales.

Separately, privacy concerns have emerged on the Ražnjića nudist beach on Korčula, where tourists reported being filmed by a drone. Under regulations from the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (CCAA) and EASA, flying drones over crowds in open spaces is prohibited. Furthermore, intentionally filming individuals on a nudist beach without consent can lead to criminal charges in Croatia, including potential imprisonment.