ZAGREB, 8 March, 2021 - The number of tourist nights registered in Croatia's commercial accommodation establishments in 2020 was 41 million, falling by 55.3% from 2019, and recessing to levels registered about 20 years ago, according to the data provided by the national statistical office (DZS).
The DZS recalls that in 2019 Croatia saw a record high number of tourist nights, 91 million, which slumped in 2020 to levels registered about 20 years ago.
Despite travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Croatia had more foreign visitors than domestic ones, when 5.5 million foreigners travelled to Croatia and made 35.4 million overnight stays, down by 68% and 58% compared to 2019.
Broken down by country of origin, Germans topped the ranking, with 1.5 million German-passport holders visiting Croatia and making 11.7 million overnight stays, which was down by 49% and 40% respectively on the year.
In terms of nights spent in Croatia, Slovenians, Poles, Czechs , Austrians and Italians made it top six.
As many as 1.5 million Croatians travelled inside the country.
Istria registered highest number of guests
Istria County remained the most desirable destination with 1.7 million registered visitors (down 75% year-on-year), and 11.5 million overnight stays (-72%).
Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Split-Dalmatia Counties followed with 1.3 million and 1.2 milion arrivals. However, the latter had more nights, nearly eight million, while the former had 7.8 million.
The Istrian coastal city of Rovinj remained the most sought-after destination with the highest number of stays, 1.7 million. It was followed by two other Istrian destinations, Medulin and Poreč, both with 1.2 million overnight stays. Dubrovnik ranked fourth, with 776,000.
