Last year, 2017, the data showed the impressive number of 18.5 million tourists visited Croatia with 102 million overnight stays. 

According to Eurostat (Statistical office of the European Union), in comparison to 2016, it was an increase of 13% of visitors to the country. And consequently, the number of arrivals also generated a substantial increase of overnights stays in 2017.

Croatia Tourism In 2018

Croatia is among the top EU countries by tourism results growth. In 2018, Croatia featured on the second place on list of top emerging destination, amongst Japan, Portugal, Cuba and Iceland. Not surprisingly, 2018 in comparison to 2019, Croatia received an amount of 19.7 million tourists. A new record.

Istria Is A Jewel

If you think of Croatia, you instantly might think of the popular spots such as Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split and Rovinj. Although those regions are espectacular and have plenty to offer, the uniqueness and authenticity of destinations that are still not very explored and overcrowded are attracting more and more the attention of tourists. The typical spots and regions attracted a lot of visits, but the winner of all was the region of Istria. 

Investments In Tourism

Having more than a billion euros of investments put into tourism last year, this year the ministry of tourism expects the same amount of investments again to be put into the industry.

Croatia is developing very fast and surprising investors. Tourism and infrastructure are sectors to be developed and that are already on the progress of evolving, currently being funded and developing.

However, lately Croatia has been paying attention also in its health tourism this year, the Croatian Medical Group had as a goal to get 3.8 billion to start increasing the health tourism in Croatia.

Miljenko Bura of the medical group expressed that “Because Croatia is full of natural resources and pure gives the country a huge potential for health tourism also.”

Talking about natural resources

Another surprise is that the country decided to turn their heads to renewable energy. In fact, it has not been for the first time. The nature that Croatia offers is not only beautiful for the sight, there is a lot of potential to be explored and used. 

According to the Balkan Green Energy News, the company HEP (Hrvatska Elektroprivreda), dominant state owned company, on cooperation on the Orlec Trinket solar power plant project on the Cres island, built the largest solar power plant in Croatia.

Dubrovnik is a stunning destination, without any doubts, it attracts on a typical day, the average amount of eight cruise ships. Having in mind, that each ship brings around 2500 tourists, overcrowding the streets of the charming UNESCO heritage, the incredible total of 20,000 visiting this town every day.

Dubrovnik is really having it

A population density taken in 200, shows that the number of inhabitants in Dubrovnik is 43,770 people in a total area of 143,35 km². However, considering that the tourists concentrate in the urban area, which in Dubrovnik is of only 21,35 km², that is nearly 1000 tourists per km², plus the locals which adds more to this number, everyday on an average day.

There are testimonials of locals that saw around 12-14 ships arriving o Dubrovnik in a day. Bringing 30,000 tourists in a day, increasing the number of people per km² by 50%.

The trend is changing

According to Virtuoso, which releases a luxury european tour report every year, shows that high spending tourists are not attracted and don’t enjoy overcrowded areas. In other words, overcrowdedness kills, most of the times, the landscape and experience that a person will have during their holiday.

Real estate investing varies from country to country. Investors looking for the best return on investment, but also to invest on a property that they can take advantage of this investment, in a country that they can enjoy it.

The luxury real estate is taking over the industry in Croatia, starting from the hospitality industry, that saw the potential of the luxury stays, throughout the stunning Croatian coast line combined with an extremely rich culture and gastronomy.

Together with it, a wave of investments developing the infrastructure, is making the country even more attractive not only for hospitality but for luxury real estate investing.

Sotheby’s International Realty

According to the director of Sotheby’s International Realty Croatia, director Marko Pazanin, there is an increase of 25% in Luxury listings “Clients are mostly German, Austrian, Czech and Slovakian nationals, followed by clients from Scandinavian countries and England,”.

This increase, has a lot to do with the country itself, and also the advantages and high return on investment that Croatia presents to investors worldwide.

When visiting Istria, you will experience the nature around the peninsula and be enchanted by the various stunning bays to visit. But if you are looking for a city atmosphere in Istria then you should visit Pula.

Pula, the jewel of Istria has been stage for big events and sceneries, one of the main cities of the Istrian peninsula is stunning and inviting.

Unifying the elegance of the Roman ruins, the Croatian weather and food surrounded by the Adriatic coast, making the destination a must go.

The italian influence make the city charming and romantic, one of the main attractions located in Pula is the Amphitheatre.

It hosts large scale artists and concerts and also is a perfect stage for premieres also, such as Mamma Mia 2.

How To Reach?

The access by car throughout the peninsula is fairly easy. However, in 2019, Airlines are generating new flights during the summer directly to the Istrian city. Departing  from different countries, Switzerland and Netherlands.

The new connection Pula-Amsterdam will work twice a week, from June 25 to September 1, 2019. Pula-Geneva will also fly twice a week, from June 26 to August 31, 2019.

This is great news for tourists, investors and visitors that decide to reach the peninsula during the hottest days.

For most visitors that reach Istria by car, in special, the ones staying in one of the Candy Brick villas located in the region of Marčana.

The access from an stunning luscious property in Croatia, either from Krnica or Matelići to the city, is only 15 minutes drive.

For those who are not familiar with Virtuoso, it is nothing more nothing less than a huge network of the best luxury travel agencies, with more than 17,500 advisors worldwide.

Virtuoso releases a luxury european tour report every year, in which displays what the tourists seek when looking for a perfect holiday destination. The report for this year, shows that people are looking for pristine, unique and less-known destinations to visit.

European Tour

In 2018, Croatia featured on the second place on list of top emerging destination, amongst Japan, Portugal, Cuba and Iceland.

If you think of Croatia, you instantly might think of the popular spots such as Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split and Rovinj. Although those regions are spectacular and have plenty to offer, the uniqueness and authenticity of destinations that are still not very explored and overcrowded are attracting the attention of tourists.

A huge loan designated to real estate Croatia is ahead, and coming from The World Bank Group.

For the ones who don’t know The World Bank Group, it is nothing more nothing less than the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries.

Their intention and commitment is to reduce poverty, increase shared prosperity, and promote sustainable development. And the Country now on their table is Croatia.

19.7 million euros on its way to Croatia

An incredible amount of 19.7 million euros to develop, ease and improve the Administration System Project.

The advance is clearly on the days of waiting at Land Registry Offices that decreased by 75% from 46 to 12 days, for mortgages and property transactions, and also on the Cadasters Offices, decreasing by around 33% from 30 to only 8 days.

But it has been coming this way since 2016

Long ago in November 2016, a system called Joint Information System was implemented, it is easy, completely accesible and modern, so people can register online with their personal details, instead of the going through the painful experience of having to go to a public office. 

You will find that plenty of the real estate Croatia opportunities are located in the overcrowded cities. And, if you have done some initial research on real estate investment opportunities, you will most definitely have heard of Njuškalo, the main and most known portal in Croatia.

This month, Njuškalo held a conference in Zagreb which the subjects approached were tourism, being the main industry in the country, combined with real estate investing. Together they have created a market with huge potential and definitely worthy of investing in.

During the conference, Robert Pakrovac, from Estre, one of the top banks in Croatia, said “ We’re an open book on which other sectors such as tourism, and ultimately the retirement of people in Croatia, lean on”

It is common to find real estate prices in overcrowded areas higher than in other locations. Due to the simple fact that there is more demand for these real estates. This is because many of these areas are popular destinations for both tourists and first time buyers who are less knowledgeable on Croatia and the real estate market.

However, recently more and more tourist and first time buyers are looking away from these popular areas and are in search for authenticity, privacy and unique experiences. These can be found in the lesser known regions of Croatia.