According to eVisitor data, there were 19,110,498 overnight stays and 3,698,159 million tourist arrivals in Split-Dalmatia County in 2018, which is a 9 percent increase compared to 2017 and a 5 percent increase in overnight stays, reports HRTurizam on January 11, 2019.
This is also the most significant growth achieved in all coastal tourist counties in 2018.
In Croatia's total tourist turnover, Split-Dalmatia County has a share of nearly 20 percent, or, in other words, every fifth guest of Croatia in commercial accommodation has stayed in Central Dalmatia.
"Numerous Advent events in the towns and cities of our County attracted a large number of visitors in December, so Split-Dalmatia County hosted more than 33,000 guests in that month, achieving growth in December and the New Year's holidays by as much as 18 percent in overnight stays and 34 percent in arrivals. Thus, the business year was completed in the best way by continuing the excellent trend that marked the growth of tourism turnover in the last year, and the biggest in the pre-season and post-season, which, together with the growth of quality services, was our main goal,” says Joško Stella, director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, who added that the goal is to position Central Dalmatia as a desirable and indispensable destination for rest, fun and relaxation throughout the year.
In the Split-Dalmatia County area, up to 197 million euro will be invested in tourism in the coming year, with the city of Split being the most attractive for investors, and where eight hotels with 4 to 5-stars are being constructed.
Thus, Split-Dalmatia County, measured by the growth of tourist traffic in the months outside of the season, is the overall winner of tourism. From March until the end of December, the growth of tourist arrivals was the largest in the country, while the real star was the city of Split, which recorded double-digit growth in visitors and overnight stays throughout the year.
"Record investments in accommodation capacities for the 2019 season in the Split-Dalmatia County area reach 197 million euro, where the city of Split will be the most attractive to investors to raise the quality of services and give new reasons to extend the season further," concludes Stella.
In the area of Split-Dalmatia County, the largest share of overnights was the Split Riviera, followed by the Makarska Riviera. The biggest growth in traffic last year was recorded by Inland Dalmatia, which had 15 percent more overnights than the year before.
Thus, Central Dalmatia has firmly positioned itself as the second strongest tourist region in the country, just behind Istria, and in front of Kvarner, which has been the second place in the country for decades.
To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
