Easter holidays traditionally bring the first major tourist wave to Croatia, and this year, increases greater than 10 percent compared to last year are expected, estimate the Ministry of Tourism, county tourist boards, hotel companies, and travel agencies.
According to announcements from the Ministry of Tourism, the most tourists are expected in Istria. The director of the county Tourist Board, Denis Ivošević, expects that more than 33 thousand tourists will come to this region, achieving around 90 thousand overnight stays, which is significantly better than last year.
“We are ready for tourists. Preparations have been well executed with a well-coordinated collaboration between the private and public sectors. After excellent results for the Easter holidays, we expect, which is perhaps more important, a more logical and calmer transition into the pre-season and then into the main season, which is actually already starting for us, given that all destinations have prepared a rich program not only for Easter but also for the future,” emphasizes Ivošević for Hina.
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In Istria, he says, 30 large hotels will be open for Easter, as well as all small family hotels and the best villas in the interior and along the coast.
Great expectations in Kvarner and Dalmatia
Excellent results are also expected in Kvarner. The director of the Kvarner Tourist Board, Irena Peršić Živadinov, expects 25 percent more tourists than last year or around 16.5 thousand who will achieve 50 thousand overnight stays from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
“In Kvarner, 97 hotels will be open, of which 44 are on the Opatija Riviera, and the hotels expect the most guests, around 12 thousand. Good traffic is also expected in camps, of which 14 will be open, 9 of which are on the islands, and we are satisfied with the announcements for the continuation of the pre-season,” says Peršić Živadinov.
The director of the Zadar County Tourist Board, Mihaela Kadija, emphasizes that all major hoteliers in that county have an increase in bookings in April due to Easter and that they have been most attracted by attractive packages with offers of special interests such as wellness and sports like tennis and cycling.
The director of the Zadar County Tourist Board, Mihaela Kadija, emphasizes that all major hoteliers in that county have an increase in bookings in April due to Easter and that they have been most attracted by attractive packages with offers of special interests such as wellness and sports like tennis and cycling.
“Some hoteliers plan increases in tourist overnight stays in April of 50 to even 100 percent with all capacities in operation, but according to statements from some smaller local tourist boards, the percentages are more cautious – the entire April should generate traffic of more than 130 thousand overnight stays, while a 10 percent increase in overnight stays is expected for the Easter weekend,” says Kadija.
The Split-Dalmatia County expects about 10 percent better traffic than last year. The director of its Tourist Board, Joško Stella, emphasizes that Split Airport expects the arrival of up to nine thousand passengers, which is 10 percent more than last year.
“The cruise season has already started in Split, where we expect the largest crowds, followed by Trogir, Makarska, Brela, Tučepi, Bol on Brač, and Hvar where all larger hotels are open and ready to welcome guests,” says Stella. He adds that the increased arrival of tourists will continue for the extended weekend around May 1.
Tourist crowds are also expected in Dubrovnik, as according to expectations and announcements from Dubrovnik tourism workers, around eight thousand, mostly foreign tourists, are expected to visit the city for the Easter holidays.
“Of course, domestic tourists are also expected, and among foreigners, the most from the USA, Spain, Korea, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Already from the beginning of April, since the summer flight schedule began, there is a noticeable liveliness in Dubrovnik that will intensify for Easter given the rich traditional gastro, entertainment, and church-Lenten program prepared on Stradun and in Dubrovnik restaurants,” emphasizes Jelka Tepšić from the Dubrovnik Tourist Board.
Hotel companies are ready, opening most facilities and expecting increases
From the largest hotel company in Croatia – Valamar Riviera, it is learned that for Easter, they will open most facilities in all destinations where they operate (Istria, Krk, Rab, and Dubrovnik) and that they are satisfied with the announcements for Easter, as well as the overall bookings for this year.
“During the Easter holidays, most of our tourists will come from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, and we have prepared a rich program with an emphasis on holiday culinary offerings,” say Valamar, adding that they have also opened camps in all destinations.
Rovinj’s Maistra also expects increases for the Easter holidays from April 14 to 17, with more than 19.5 thousand overnight stays, and guests will have ten hotels in Rovinj and Vrsar and five camps available.
From the Adriatic Luxury Hotels (JLH or ALH) group, it is stated that the occupancy of their hotels for this year, including Easter, is in line with expectations and that they expect growth in April, but they also emphasize caution.
From the Adriatic Luxury Hotels (JLH or ALH) group, it is stated that the occupancy of their hotels for this year, including Easter, is in line with expectations and that they expect growth in April, but they also emphasize caution.
“Although a lot is expected from this season and we can certainly speak optimistically about the results, we are traditionally cautious and believe that we will only be able to provide a more concrete assessment of real tourist results during the later summer months,” say ALH, adding that all hotel capacities in Dubrovnik are open, with the exception of the Excelsior hotel, which has been closed since November 2016 for reconstruction and redesign, with planned opening in May.
The hotel group Plava Laguna in Poreč will open most of its hotels and two camps for Easter, expecting that around 4,500 guests will achieve approximately 13,500 overnight stays, which is almost double compared to the same holidays last year.
In the hotels in Brela, Tučepi, and Bol, the hotel group Bluesun expects numerous groups from Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom, as well as a larger number of domestic individual guests and sports groups of tennis players and cyclists.
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In the pre-season, we expect more tourists than last year, including for Easter and in the continuation of April and May, while we have already closed sales for certain dates in June. We can confidently say that a record tourist season awaits us, emphasize the Sunce Group, which operates Bluesun Hotels & Resorts.
The travel agency Atlas also records increased demand for groups and tours for this Easter, especially from Spain and Portugal with a 20 percent increase, but also from overseas markets.
“The most common route is Zagreb-Plitvice-Split-Dubrovnik, interesting as part of large European trips, where Croatia is an indispensable destination. The number of English guests is also increasing by about 30 percent, and bookings are generally constantly on the rise,” says the head of corporate communications, Nikolin Frklić, emphasizing that their cruise ships in the Adriatic are also very well filled.
Terme Tuhelj expects nearly 1,800 guests for the Easter holidays, which, as they say, fills 90 percent of their accommodation capacities, with the most guests coming from Croatia (about 60 percent) and then from Slovenia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, and Germany, to whom they will offer authentic holiday delicacies and various programs.
