AGP Executive Report

Wildfire Safety for Travelers: British holidaymakers Stephen and Anna Saunders were forced to flee by sea from Brač after wildfires and ash engulfed their Gava Waterman resort, with guests initially told the situation was under control. Tourism Demand Shift: Dubrovnik is tipped for a busier autumn as visitors swap summer heat for September sunshine, while Dubrovnik tourism keeps climbing with overnight stays topping 3.4 million. Infrastructure & Mobility: Croatia’s hybrid electro-diesel train between Split and Zagreb is now operational, and a new Zagreb–Split hybrid service begins with Wi‑Fi, power sockets and bike space. Hiking & Nature Access: Croatia plans to upgrade 884 km of hiking trails and 23 mountain facilities. Visa Rules for Road Workers: Croatia opens visa applications for professional drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina from 23 September, aiming to ease cross-border work constraints. Cruise & Aviation Watch: A mechanical issue delayed a Cunard Alaska cruise departure from Seattle, and MSC is marketing 2027 Europe sailings with some itineraries exclusive to Australians and New Zealanders.

Dubrovnik Autumn Demand: Dubrovnik is set to stay one of Croatia’s busiest cities into September and mid-October, with cruise traffic and strong international demand keeping pressure high around the Old City, Stradun, city walls, and the cable car area. Shoulder-Season Advantage: A separate look at Dubrovnik “beyond summer” says the quieter months make the Old City easier to enjoy—more space to linger, better sightseeing flow, and more time for side streets and details (with fewer services and shorter days to plan around). Local Tourism Numbers: Orebić’s season is holding steady, with about 77,000 overnight stays in the first half of September and 845,000 since the start of 2026 (slightly below last year). Heritage & Events: Klapa Subrenum performs on Mljet this Friday evening in front of the Church of St. Paul, offering a free early-autumn Dalmatian music experience. Travel Infrastructure: Croatia has put its first domestically built electro-diesel bimodal train into service on the Zagreb–Split line, aiming to improve the long-running rail journey despite ongoing infrastructure limits.

Rail Upgrade & Mobility: Croatia has put its first domestically built electro-diesel bimodal train into service on the Zagreb–Split corridor, aiming to replace older tilting diesel units—though the route’s infrastructure limits still keep the journey around eight hours. Local Transport Push: Zadar County is planning major rail works that could bring passenger services back by 2028, including a Bibinje line relocation with a tunnel, station upgrades, new battery-powered trains, and a future rail link between Zadar Airport and the city centre. Car Boom, Public Transport Too: Croatia’s registered passenger cars hit 2.06 million in 2025 (+3.6% year-on-year), while buses/trams carried 281.5 million passengers (+12%) and rail ridership rose to 26.4 million. Dubrovnik Off-Season Appeal: Dubrovnik’s quieter season is drawing visitors who want breathing room in the Old City, with eVisitor data showing 1.05 million tourists and 3.40 million overnight stays through Sept 9. Pelješac & Ston Visitor Check: Despite fears that the Pelješac Bridge would bypass Ston, the Walls of Ston area still drew close to 80,000 visitors last year and remains strong in 2026. Pelješac Peninsula Stays Steady: Orebić is holding up well, with 845,000 overnight stays recorded by Sept 15 and September performing especially solidly. Wildfire Safety Story: British holidaymakers described a terrifying escape from a Brač resort as wildfire ash and embers forced hundreds of guests toward the sea. Culture & Events: Klapa Subrenum performs on Mljet this Friday, and Rastoke’s Mill Days return Sept 19 with heritage, food, crafts, and music. Tourism Infrastructure for Sports: Work is underway to upgrade Čibača’s football pitch, with €13,760 in repairs plus plans for bigger sports-centre improvements.

Wildfire Safety & Evacuations: Wildfires on Croatia’s Brač island forced hundreds of holidaymakers to flee, with reports of chaotic escapes into the sea and nearly 700 people evacuated by boat from the Gava Waterman Milna Resort area. Dubrovnik Tourism Update: Dubrovnik says it’s still growing—preliminary eVisitor figures show 1.05 million arrivals and 3.40 million overnight stays from Jan 1 to Sept 9, up about 1% year-on-year. Local Tourism Politics: Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković sparked debate by claiming “most people don’t even know where Istria is,” positioning Dubrovnik as Croatia’s only tourism “champion.” Travel Planning Tools: Croatia’s weather warnings are getting more precise from Sept 22, with DHMZ issuing alerts by county (and Zagreb) instead of broader regions. Luxury Stays: Dubrovnik’s Villa Argentina has reopened after a major renovation and joined The Leading Hotels of the World, adding to the city’s high-end accommodation appeal. Visitor Access & Entry Rules: The EU published which nationalities are exempt from EES registration, including Croatia as part of the system.

Wildfire Safety & Evacuations: Wildfires on Croatia’s Brač island have triggered major evacuations, with reports of nearly 700 people taken off by sea after the Gava Waterman Milna Resort caught fire; some guests say staff told them to “relax with a drink” and criticized the evacuation plan, while UK travel advice remains general and urges caution around woodland and forest areas. Tourism Infrastructure Upgrade: Croatia is nearing completion of Wellovar, a €42 million thermal spa project in Veliki Korenovo (Bjelovar area) with ten pools and advanced heating/cooling systems, aiming for an opening around 29 September. Weather Alerts: From 22 September, DHMZ will issue more precise dangerous-weather warnings by county (20 counties plus Zagreb) instead of broader regions, with an updated map and clearer timing for active warnings. Air Connectivity (US Demand): United Airlines carried about 30,100 passengers between the US and Croatia’s coast (Newark–Dubrovnik and Newark–Split) in April–June, highlighting continued growth in direct transatlantic travel. Visitor Experience (Dubrovnik): Dubrovnik’s Villa Argentina has reopened after a major transformation and has joined The Leading Hotels of the World, adding 109 rooms and suites across the renovated complex. Local Life in Split: Split’s seasonal late-night alcohol sales restriction ends today, restoring shop sales after 9pm for the rest of the year. Travel Policy (EES): The EU has published a list of 29 countries whose citizens are exempt from EES registration for short Schengen stays, with Croatia included among the participating EES countries.

Wildfire Safety & Evacuations: Wildfires on Croatia’s island of Brač have forced around 500 people, including British tourists, to evacuate after the blaze broke out near Ložišće and rapidly spread across thousands of hectares; reports describe tourists fleeing by boat as flames and embers closed in, while the UK Foreign Office urges travellers to treat wildfire conditions as highly dangerous and changeable. Local Travel Rules: Split has lifted its seasonal late-night alcohol sales restriction, with shops able to sell alcohol again after 9pm from 16 September. New Visitor Infrastructure: Croatia is nearing completion of a €42 million thermal spa project in Veliki Korenovo (Wellovar), with final system checks underway and a hoped-for opening around 29 September. Hiking & Outdoors: The Croatian Mountaineering Association plans to upgrade 884 km of hiking trails and 23 mountain facilities across 2026–2027, including shelter roof, sanitation and water filtration improvements. Getting Around: A new hybrid electric-diesel passenger train has entered service on the Zagreb–Split route, designed for both electrified and non-electrified sections, with Wi‑Fi, power sockets and bike space.

Wildfire Crisis on Brac: Hundreds of British holidaymakers were evacuated by sea after a major wildfire threatened the Gava Waterman Milna Resort on Croatia’s island of Brač, with reports of guests fleeing into the water and rescue boats (described as “Dunkirk-style”) helping evacuate nearly 700 people. Inflation Pressure: Croatia’s inflation ticked up again in August, with transport costs up 13.5% and housing-related expenses rising 10.8%, squeezing household budgets. Rail Upgrade for Travelers: Croatia introduced its first hybrid electric-diesel passenger train on the Zagreb–Split route, designed for both electrified and non-electrified sections, with Wi‑Fi, power sockets and bike space. Hiking Boost: The Croatian Mountaineering Association plans to upgrade 23 mountain facilities and 230 hiking trails across almost 884 km over 2026–2027. Visitor Tools: Korčula launched a new mobile app (Android/iOS) to help visitors find attractions and events with location-based info and notifications. Tourism Demand Signal: Croatia welcomed five million tourists in August, with overnight stays reaching 31.3 million.

Wildfire Crisis on Brac: A major blaze on Croatia’s Brač island forced nearly 700 people to evacuate, including tourists from the Gava Waterman Milna Resort, with some rescued by local boats after guests were reportedly left without a clear evacuation plan. Transport Upgrade: Croatia’s first hybrid electro-diesel train between Split and Zagreb is now fully operational, offering Wi‑Fi, power sockets, bike space and accessibility features. Visitor Help for Korčula: Korčula has launched a new mobile app (Android/iOS) to help visitors and residents find events and services, with location-based info and notifications during the busy season. Cruise Expansion: AROYA Cruises expanded its 2026–27 Mediterranean programme from Galataport Istanbul, adding Alexandria as a second embarkation gateway and introducing its first overnight calls in the city plus new 14-night itineraries. Tourism Demand Signals: Eurocontrol reports record summer air traffic across Europe, with “continuous growth” in Croatia and other Adriatic/Balkan destinations despite Middle East disruption. Rental Market Split: Coastal and continental Croatia show contrasting rental trends, with Zagreb the only city seeing more supply and lower asking prices—an issue that matters for both residents and tourism planning. Dubrovnik Food Calendar: Dubrovnik’s Good Food Festival returns Oct 5–18 with celebrity chefs, street food, workshops and live music, aiming to extend the city’s dining buzz beyond peak summer.

Wildfire Safety in Croatia: Wildfires on Brač escalated again around Milna, forcing evacuations by sea and triggering tense moments for visitors, including reports of British tourists fleeing by little boats after hotel staff allegedly left them without an evacuation plan; authorities coordinated maritime rescue operations as firefighting continued and the risk of reignition was monitored. Tourism Disruption & Recovery: The blaze has burned thousands of hectares and threatened tourist facilities, with hundreds evacuated overnight and additional fires reported elsewhere on the island, keeping travel advisories and on-the-ground updates crucial for anyone planning Adriatic island days. New Rail for Travelers: HŽ Passenger Transport is launching a new electro-diesel passenger train on the Zagreb–Split line with free Wi‑Fi, power sockets, bike space, accessibility ramps, and self-service vending—an upgrade aimed at smoother, more comfortable intercity travel. Dubrovnik Food Calendar: Dubrovnik’s Good Food Festival returns for two weeks (Oct 5–18) with celebrity chefs, street food, concerts, and events across the wider Dubrovnik region. Tech & Mobility in Zagreb: Pony.ai and Verne have started fully driverless robotaxi test rides with passengers on public roads in Zagreb, paving the way for expanded coverage in the city. Croatia in Europe’s Air Traffic: Eurocontrol data shows record summer flights across Europe, with “high increase” traffic to Croatia alongside several other regional destinations. Short-Term Rentals Debate: A Croatian family hosts association argues that new EU-style restrictions on short-term rentals won’t fix the housing crisis without solid data, warning against bans based on assumptions. Croatia Beyond Borders: A Croatian climber rescued from Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia may face action for using an unofficial route and climbing without a permit.

Wildfire & Evacuations (Brač): A major wildfire on Croatia’s Brač island forced large-scale evacuations near Milna, with authorities coordinating by sea overnight and reporting around 700 people moved to safety; firefighting teams defended homes and tourist facilities as winds drove the blaze, and no deaths were reported though injuries and smoke inhalation were treated. Tourism Numbers (Croatia): Croatia welcomed about five million tourists in August, generating 31.3 million overnight stays (+0.5% year-on-year), with commercial accommodation leading and nautical stays down slightly. Air Connectivity (Europe/Croatia): Eurocontrol data shows Europe hit record summer air traffic—35,959 flights a day on average—while Croatia was among countries seeing strong growth; separately, Croatian airports logged a record summer, with July passenger totals up 1.7% and Split the busiest. New Routes (Istria): Transavia will launch seasonal Amsterdam–Pula flights for summer 2027, adding competition to easyJet and boosting direct access for Dutch visitors. Policy Debate (Short-term rentals): Croatian family hosts’ group says new restrictions on short-term rentals won’t fix the housing crisis without solid data, warning against bans before comparable EU figures are available. Cruise Travel Tip: Cruise-and-stay packages are getting more emphasis, with operators urging agents to match the right cruise line and add pre/post stays to boost value for travelers. Culture & Heritage (Humac): The Franciscan Museum in Humac is drawing thousands annually, with visitor interest rising year on year for artifacts spanning from the Paleolithic to the Humac Tablet.

Wildfire Crisis on Brač: A major blaze on Croatia’s island of Brač has triggered evacuations around Milna, with authorities reporting about 500 people moved at first and later nearly 700 evacuated by sea as winds pushed flames toward homes and tourist areas; firefighters used Canadair aircraft and hundreds of responders, with reports of two injured (including a woman who fell from a boat during evacuation). Tourism Numbers: Croatia welcomed about five million tourists in August, generating 31.3 million overnight stays (+0.5% year-on-year), while Croatia’s airports also logged a record summer in July, led by Split. New Air Link to Istria: Transavia announced seasonal Amsterdam–Pula flights for summer 2027, adding competition to easyJet and boosting direct access for Dutch visitors. Green Investment for Mljet: Mljet National Park is set to receive over €1.6 million for wildfire protection and visitor infrastructure upgrades, including cleaner transport options. Culture & Heritage: Ston Salt Festival’s 10th anniversary wrapped with an international symposium on conserving Adriatic saltworks.

Wildfire Response: A fast-moving blaze on Croatia’s island of Brac forced the evacuation of more than 200 people overnight near Milna, with authorities reporting improved conditions by Sunday morning and no serious injuries. Aviation & Demand: Croatia’s airports logged a record summer in July, with 2.35 million passengers (+1.7% year-on-year), led by Split (767,000) and followed by Dubrovnik (557,000) and Zagreb (465,000). Tourism Economy: Croatia is again seeing an “extraordinary tourism year,” with Jan–Aug 2026 totals of 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays (+1%), plus 7.41 billion euros in fiscalized revenue (+17.6%). Seasonality Challenge: New figures underline Croatia’s biggest weakness: the EU’s most seasonal tourism employment, with accommodation and food services hiring heavily in summer and dropping sharply afterward. Dubrovnik Culture: An American choir concert will be held for free at Dubrovnik’s historic Franciscan Monastery on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Travel Policy Watch: The US says ESTA applications take about 23 minutes on average, and lists Croatia among the eligible countries.

Croatia Tourism & Policy: Croatia is hailing another “extraordinary tourism year,” reporting 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays in Jan–Aug 2026 (+1%), with fiscalized revenue up 17.6% to €7.41bn—while a separate report flags the country’s biggest structural weakness: the EU’s most seasonal employment in accommodation and food services. Zagreb & Infrastructure: Zagreb opened a new €36m sports centre, including the city’s first pool in the western district, adding to the local visitor-and-lifestyle draw. Dubrovnik Culture & Luxury: Dubrovnik’s Franciscan Monastery hosts a free American choir concert on Sept 16 at 8pm, as the city also welcomes high-end arrivals like the €1.1m-a-week superyacht Amalya anchoring in Župa Bay. Travel Rules & Access: The US says ESTA applications take an average of 23 minutes and confirmed Croatia is among the 42 ESTA-eligible countries; separately, the EU is moving toward an “Affordable Housing Act” that could restrict Britons buying second homes in tourism hotspots, with Croatia named among likely affected destinations. On-the-ground Travel Insight: A spotlight on Biševo notes huge day-trip numbers to the Blue Cave but very few overnight stays—only 44 registered tourists in 2025—highlighting an opportunity to spread tourism beyond the single attraction.

Croatian Tourism Performance: Croatia is calling 2026 another “extraordinary tourism year,” reporting 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays in Jan–Aug (+1%), plus 7.41 billion euros in fiscalized tourism revenue (+17.6%). Seasonality Pressure: New EU data underlines the weak spot behind the boom: Croatia has the biggest summer-to-winter employment swing in accommodation and food services across the bloc, making year-round staffing and retention a constant challenge. Record August Demand: Croatia also surpassed 5 million tourist arrivals in August for the first time, with 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays in the first eight months. Air Connectivity: Dubrovnik Airport logged 566,529 passengers in August (+4.14%), with 4,616 aircraft operations (+1.36%), signaling strong demand even as summer winds down. Visitor Spend Gap on Islands: Biševo’s Blue Cave draws about 150,000 summer visitors, but only around 40 stay overnight—highlighting a “more visitors, fewer nights” problem. On-the-ground Nature Escape: A travel feature spotlights the Ljuta River near Dubrovnik as a quieter, greener alternative for day trips beyond the city crowds. EU Housing Rules: An EU proposal could restrict Britons from buying second homes in holiday hotspots, with Croatia named among likely affected destinations. Cruise Update: Holland America is accelerating its Oosterdam “Evolution” refit by five weeks to meet demand, adding new Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings that include Croatia. Travel Policy Context: Europe saw record summer air traffic in July–August despite Middle East war disruptions, with Croatia among the destinations benefiting from higher traffic.

EU Housing Crackdown: A proposed EU “Affordable Housing Act” would let cities clamp down on holiday-home ownership in areas under housing stress, potentially making it harder for Britons to buy second homes abroad—reportedly including hotspots such as Spain and Croatia. Croatia Tourism Numbers: Croatia logged another standout season, surpassing 5 million arrivals in August and reaching 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays in the first eight months of 2026. Dubrovnik Airport Momentum: Dubrovnik Airport handled 566,529 passengers in August (+4.14% year-on-year), with September flights keeping the momentum going. Croatia Market Signals: Hungarian tourism to Croatia is up, with nearly 440,000 Hungarian visitors in Jan–Jul 2026 and about two million overnight stays. On-the-ground Travel Impact: Mljet National Park saw visitor numbers fall about 9% in 2026, linked to the continued closure of Hotel Odisej. Aviation Demand Watch: Eurocontrol reports record summer air traffic across Europe, with higher flight growth in Croatia alongside other Adriatic and Balkan destinations. New Stays & Experiences: Suncani Hvar Hotels debuted a refreshed Amfora, Hvar Grand Beach Resort, adding meeting space and new dining options. Cruise Scheduling: Holland America is moving Oosterdam’s Evolution transformation forward by five weeks, with a new inaugural sailing that includes calls in Croatia.

Tourism Milestone: Croatia smashed a new record in August, surpassing 5 million arrivals in a single month, with 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays logged in the first eight months of 2026 (Croatian Tourist Board). Dubrovnik Demand: Dubrovnik is also riding the autumn wave—Booking.com data shows a 56% jump in international searches for September-October stays, signaling more visitors beyond the peak summer rush. Airport Momentum: Dubrovnik Airport kept flying high with 566,529 passengers in August (+4.14% year-on-year), plus 4,616 aircraft operations (+1.36%). Nature & Access: For travelers looking beyond the usual sights, the Ljuta River near Dubrovnik (Konavle) is highlighted as a quick, crowd-free nature escape—just 40 minutes from the city. Off-Season Reality Check: Mljet National Park saw visitor numbers fall about 9% in 2026, with the continued closure of Hotel Odisej blamed for part of the dip. Travel Planning Tip: For UK-bound travelers, Croatia is included among nationalities eligible for Britain’s ETA scheme (no visa needed, with specific limits).