Croatia has experienced a remarkable surge in tourism from South Korea this year. The country welcomed 160,000 visitors and recorded 210,000 overnight stays, representing a 37% increase in arrivals and a 34% rise in overnight stays compared to the previous year. This positive trend has the Croatian Tourist Board optimistic about continued growth, even expecting stronger results in the coming year.
This positive outlook follows discussions between Croatian tourism officials and key representatives from South Korea’s travel industry at the international Travel Show in Seoul. The event, anticipated to attract over 50,000 visitors, showcased a wide array of travel destinations, attractions, and programs, opening opportunities for further collaboration and strengthening long-haul travel links. The discussions highlighted the rising demand for Croatian destinations, driven in part by the success of direct flight connections between South Korea and Croatia. Airlines operating these routes have reported strong occupancy rates, further confirming Croatia’s appeal among South Korean travelers.
In addition to these promising developments, a dedicated presentation of Croatia’s tourism offerings was held for South Korean media and travel agencies, emphasizing the destination’s growing popularity. Plans to expand tourism offerings into 2025 were also discussed, with a focus on attracting even more visitors from this key market.
South Korean tourists have become an essential demographic for Croatia, known for traveling throughout the year and particularly favoring the pre- and post-season periods. These visitors are also among the highest spenders, with an average daily expenditure of 155 euros. Regions such as Dubrovnik-Neretva, Split-Dalmatia, Lika-Senj, and Zadar have recorded the highest number of overnight stays from this market, with top destinations including Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar.
Following the Seoul event, Croatian tourism officials will continue their promotional activities in Shanghai, focusing on engaging with the Chinese market. Like their South Korean counterparts, Chinese tourists play a crucial role in boosting pre- and post-season tourism in Croatia. Their visits typically occur in October, June, May, and September, with many travelers participating in organized regional tours. Sightseeing remains the primary motivation for these visitors, accounting for 73% of their trips, though they tend to stay briefly in each destination, often changing accommodations during their journey.
