Croatia and Slovenia Mark Record Growth in 2024

With more interest from travelers to venture off the beaten path, Croatia and Slovenia both saw record tourism growth in 2024.

Croatia’s record-breaking growth was fueled by more than 21.3 million arrivals and 108.7 million overnight stays.

According to country statistics, U.S. travelers contributed significantly to this growth with 776,304 arrivals and 2.17 million overnight stays, reflecting year-over-year increases of 9% and 8% respectively.

Additionally, as part of a growing trend toward more shoulder and off-season travel, Croatia’s growth is no longer confined to the summer months. From January to May 2024, arrivals surged by 11% and overnight stays increased by 12.5%. Similarly, the October to December period saw double-digit growth, with arrivals up by 10.3% and overnights stays up by 9.7%.

Dubrovnik, Rovinj, and Split remain Croatia’s most-visited destinations, but efforts are underway to expand tourism to lesser-known inland regions, including the capital city of Zagreb.

Slovenia

In 2024, tourist arrivals in Slovenia surged by 6.3% compared to 2023, reaching 6.58 million visitors. Overnight stays also saw significant growth, rising by 4.5% year-over-year.

“In terms of guest arrivals and overnight stays, we have once again exceeded 2019,” said Matevž Frangež, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sport. “We are seeing moderate and steady growth in guest arrivals, but our focus goes beyond numbers. In line with the adopted tourism strategy, Slovenia is prioritizing quality, aiming to attract more discerning guests, deliver unforgettable experiences for both domestic and international visitors, and, most importantly, generate greater added value for our economy.”