In the first six months, arrivals increased by 8 percent, and overnight stays by 2 percent

The largest share of total semi-annual tourist arrivals in Croatia, 42.4 percent, and overnight stays, nearly 50 percent, was achieved in hotels, which recorded 1.76 million tourists and 5.55 million overnight stays, marking increases of 8 and 2 percent compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

In total, there were 3.54 million tourists in Croatia in the first half of this year (13 percent more than in the same six months last year) and 13.07 million overnight stays (7 percent more). Following hotels are camps, which accounted for 14 percent of total tourists in the first half of this year and where 20.3 percent of total overnight stays were recorded. The arrival of nearly 500 thousand tourists in camps represents a 14 percent increase compared to last year, while 2.66 million overnight stays in this type of accommodation recorded an increase of 8 percent.

Similar to previous years, private accommodation capacities and households ranked third, with 10.6 percent of total tourists and 15 percent of total overnight stays. Private accommodation was chosen by 378.2 thousand tourists, achieving 1.97 million overnight stays, while slightly fewer, 377.2 thousand, stayed in households, achieving 1.96 million overnight stays. These figures indicate that these types of accommodation recorded 37 percent more tourist arrivals and 27 percent more overnight stays compared to last year.

Following in arrivals are nautical tourism ports, which received 6.6 percent of the total number of tourists or 234.6 thousand, which is 14 percent more. These ports also recorded a 23 percent increase with 400.6 thousand overnight stays. Tourist resorts, although with fewer arrivals, 190.8 thousand, recorded more overnight stays than nautical ports, 896.4 thousand, thus showing increases of 26 percent in arrivals and 8 percent in overnight stays compared to the same six months last year. In addition to the mentioned accommodation facilities, significant increases in tourist arrivals and overnight stays this year are also recorded in categories such as villas, tourist apartments, so-called guest houses, rental rooms, studio apartments, and hostels.

According to the latest data from the Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development (MMTPR) and the Croatian Bureau of Statistics from the end of 2006, there were a total of 926 thousand beds in commercial accommodation facilities in Croatia. Of these, the largest share, 44 percent or 405 thousand, was in private accommodation, and in camps 23 percent or 225 thousand. In hotels and aparthotels, there were 12 percent of total beds or 113 thousand, and in tourist resorts 55 thousand. In other facilities, 14 percent of the remaining beds or 127 thousand were recorded. (H)