AGP Executive Report

Tourism Performance: Croatia is still posting strong numbers, with the minister citing 17.5 million arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays in Jan–Aug 2026 (+1%), plus 7.41bn euros in fiscalized revenue (+17.6%). Dubrovnik Demand: Booking.com data shows a 56% jump in international searches for Dubrovnik autumn stays, as September demand keeps growing beyond the summer peak. Dubrovnik Airport: Ruđer Bošković Airport handled 566,529 passengers in August (+4.14% y/y), with 4,616 aircraft operations (+1.36%). Off-Season Ideas: Dubrovnik is also being highlighted for September travel, with Travel + Leisure pointing to calmer crowds and easy access to walls, islands, kayaking, hiking and cycling. Nature Escape Near Dubrovnik: The Ljuta River in Konavle is being promoted as a quick, crowd-free alternative to the Old City. Mljet Update: Mljet National Park visitor numbers fell about 9% in 2026, with the continued closure of Hotel Odisej blamed for part of the drop. Travel Disruption/Costs: A wildfire in the Omiš area is estimated to have caused over €110m in damage, while Zagreb protests continue over hazardous waste cleanup delays in Lika. Air Connectivity: New direct China–Croatia links are expanding, including Zagreb’s first direct flight from China.

Dubrovnik in September Spotlight: Travel + Leisure named Dubrovnik one of the world’s best places to visit this September, praising warm seas, calmer crowds, and easy access to city walls, islands, kayaking, hiking and cycling. Culture in the City: “Pictures at an Exhibition” returns to Dubrovnik’s Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery on Sept 12, pairing live piano with Croatian art in four Saturday matinées. Air Travel Demand: Croatia’s airports handled 2.35M passengers in July (+1.7% y/y), with Split (767k) and Dubrovnik (557k) leading the summer traffic. New Tourism Platform: Meet Croatia launched as a centralized digital marketplace to help international visitors book local accommodations, marine charters, dining and tours in one place. Road Safety Upgrade: Croatia plans 40 new fixed high-tech radar systems (with 120 camera housings) to expand enforcement beyond speeding. Visitor Planning Tip: Thailand’s visa-free stay rules change from Sept 15, cutting many travelers’ tourism exemption to 30 days—important for Croatia-based holidaymakers with onward trips.

Croatia Travel & Tourism Tech: Croatia’s new digital platform “Meet Croatia” has launched to centralize bookings across accommodations, marine charters, dining and local tours—aimed at making it easier for international visitors to reach Croatian providers without hopping between channels. Air Connectivity: Dubrovnik is set to gain a new direct Air Canada link to Montreal from May 2027, with three weekly flights during the summer season—boosting North American access to southern Croatia. Road Safety: Croatia is rolling out 40 new high-tech fixed speed radar systems (with 120 camera housings) to catch more than speeding, including wrong-way driving and illegal overtaking. Coastal Quality: Dubrovnik-Neretva County reports excellent bathing water results across 127 tested beaches—122 rated “excellent,” with only two “satisfactory” sites still meeting standards. Tourism Policy Watch: The EU proposes an Affordable Housing Act that could allow cities to restrict short-term rentals in areas under housing stress, without an automatic EU-wide Airbnb ban. Visitor Numbers: Croatia’s airports handled 2.35M passengers in July (+1.7% y/y), with Split and Dubrovnik driving the summer peak.

Digital Tourism Market: Croatia just launched “Meet Croatia,” a new digital platform meant to centralize bookings for accommodations, marine charters, dining and tours—aiming to reduce the fragmented way visitors find local services. Road Safety Upgrade: The Interior Ministry is tendering 40 new fixed high-tech radars (with 120 camera housings) across up to 120 locations, with capabilities beyond speeding, including wrong-way driving and illegal overtaking. Sea Quality for Swimmers: Dubrovnik-Neretva County reports excellent bathing-water results at 122 beaches out of 127 tested, with only two sites rated “satisfactory” but still meeting required standards. Dubrovnik Connectivity: Air Canada’s new Dubrovnik–Montreal route is set for May 2027, three times a week, boosting North American access to Croatia’s south. Tourism Reality Check: New data suggests Croatia’s tourism is still highly seasonal—over half of annual overnight stays land in July and August—while some nearby destinations are seeing more arrivals but shorter stays. Heritage & Culture: Etnoland near Šibenik is opening a major immersive Dalmatian heritage attraction with a 360° multimedia experience and monumental storytelling.

Immersive Heritage & Culture: Etnoland near Šibenik is set to open a major €6.29m expansion with a new 360° multimedia journey, monumental sculptures, and traditional storytelling bringing Dalmatian heritage to life. Tourism Demand Shifts: Župa Dubrovačka is drawing slightly more visitors but they’re staying shorter—arrivals up while overnight stays fell, especially in August. Dubrovnik on the Water: Dubrovnik’s nautical tourism cooled in August, with nautical arrivals and overnight stays down year-on-year, though the U.S. remains the top market. Seasonality Snapshot: Croatia is the EU’s most seasonal tourism destination—54.5% of annual tourist nights land in July and August, underlining how hard it is to extend the season. Travel Inspiration: A Dutch photographer shares how he “frames” Dubrovnik through reflections, light and small details, plus a stop at Dubrovnik’s co-working scene and Ston’s Salt Festival. On-Board Culture Moment: More than 100 tambura musicians turned a Croatia Airlines flight into a musical celebration en route to Brussels. Transport & Access: Croatia’s motorway traffic is up 3% year-on-year, and new air connectivity is in focus as Air China relaunches Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb services, with tourism and business benefits cited.

Sustainable Farming: Croatia’s Institute of Agriculture and Tourism in Poreč is testing a new use for discarded sheep wool—turning it into organic fertiliser pellets—after the country produces about 900 tonnes a year with no solid collection system. Dubrovnik Area Tourism: Župa Dubrovačka is drawing slightly more visitors but they’re staying less: arrivals up in the first eight months of 2026, while overnight stays fell, with August showing a sharper drop. Nautical Slowdown: Dubrovnik’s nautical tourism cooled this summer, with August arrivals down and overnight stays down more noticeably, though the US remains the top market. New Air Links: Air China launched a year-round Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb service, three times a week, positioning the route as a bridge for tourism plus trade and cultural ties. Travel Infrastructure Watch: Croatian motorways saw 3% more traffic than the same period in 2025, and works on the Zagreb bypass are set to start in autumn. Digital Nomads in Ston: International remote workers swapped laptops for salt harvesting during Ston’s Salt Festival, highlighting Croatia’s growing digital-nomad scene. Weather Alert: A severe weather outbreak is expected across parts of the Western Balkans and Croatia as Europe’s late-summer heat breaks.

Dubrovnik & South Coast Demand Shift: Župa Dubrovačka is welcoming slightly more visitors in the first eight months of 2026, but they’re staying shorter—arrivals up to 116,126 (+1.6%) while overnight stays fall to 476,797 (-1.66%), with August showing the sharpest drop (-3.02%). Nautical Tourism Soft Patch: Dubrovnik’s nautical segment cooled in August as nautical arrivals slipped to 9,883 (about -3%), while overnight stays dropped around 7% to 62,070. Air Connectivity Boost: Air China launched a year-round Zagreb link via Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb, operating three times weekly (Mon/Wed/Fri), positioning the route as a “bridge of friendship” for tourism and business. Digital Nomads in Ston: International remote workers swapped laptops for salt harvesting during Ston’s Salt Festival, highlighting Croatia’s growing digital nomad appeal. Travel Rules Watch (UK/Europe): New ETIAS-related fees are set to affect UK and other non-EU travellers heading to Spain and 29 other European countries, with the charge reported at 20 euros per passenger. Local Visitor Experience Angle: Early September looks like a sweet spot for Dubrovnik—warm seas and weather, but with peak crowds easing as the school year starts. Croatia’s Short-Term Rental Pressure: Brussels moves toward tougher limits on Airbnb-style rentals, while Croatia tightens its own tourist apartment rules amid housing affordability concerns.

Air Connectivity & Business Ties: Air China launched a year-round Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb link, with flights three times a week, positioning the route as a “bridge of friendship” for tourism, culture and trade. Digital Nomads & Local Experiences: Digital nomads swapped laptops for salt harvesting in Ston during the Salt Festival, highlighting Croatia’s growing remote-worker scene. Travel Rules & Costs: New ETIAS-related charges are set to rise for UK travellers heading to Spain and other Schengen countries, with a higher fee than first expected. Tourism & Housing Pressure: Brussels moves toward tougher rules on short-term holiday rentals, while Croatia continues tightening tourist apartment regulations—raising the stakes for both visitors and hosts. Dubrovnik Practicalities: A visitor was hit with a €175 parking bill after missing a 15-minute purchase window for a cheaper daily ticket. Coast Access: An electrified fence issue on the island of Vis sparked debate over public access to Croatia’s maritime domain. Transport for Travellers: Adria InterCity will run longer this year between Budapest and Split, extending into early October. Family Travel Timing: Dubrovnik’s early-September weather stays warm as school returns, easing peak crowds. Health & Community: After decades in medicine, a Sarajevo vascular surgeon chose to keep working on the Croatian island of Iž, spotlighting healthcare access for smaller communities.

Dubrovnik Travel Timing: Early September is shaping up as a sweet spot for Dubrovnik, with 33°C sunshine and warm seas (around 26.7°C) but easing crowds as Croatia’s school year starts on Sept 7. Tourist Rental Rules: Brussels is moving toward tougher limits on Airbnb-style short-term rentals as Croatia tightens its own tourist apartment rules—raising the question of who will feel the squeeze first. Coast Access Clash: An electrified fence on the island of Vis sparked a public access debate after authorities found it blocking part of the maritime public domain and ordered removal. Dubrovnik Parking Backlash: A visitor says she was charged €175 after missing a 15-minute window to buy a cheaper daily ticket at a Dubrovnik garage, echoing similar complaints. Road Travel Upgrade: Croatia is preparing to replace toll booths with Crolibertas, a fully electronic free-flow system from March 2027 to cut queues and emissions. Local Safety & Mobility: Zagreb police seized 15 high-powered e-scooters during a crackdown and issued fines over helmet and riding violations. Culture & Community: Cavtat’s Epidaurus Cavtat Festival marks 20 years with a special anniversary edition. Protest & Environment: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of hazardous waste near Gospić, a major issue for Croatia’s natural areas and visitor trust.

Dubrovnik Visitor Backlash: A tourist was charged €175 at Garaža Ilijina Glavica after missing a “buy the €40 daily ticket within 15 minutes” condition, sparking fresh complaints about how obvious the rule is. City Safety & Disruption: Dubrovnik woke under a smoky haze as firefighters confirmed the smell and haze came from a fire in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Popovo Polje, with wind carrying it toward the city. Protest Over Tourism’s Environment: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of 30,000+ tonnes of hazardous waste near Gospić in Lika, with organisers warning it threatens drinking water and calling for deadlines and accountability. New Air Links: Air Canada announced a seasonal Montreal–Dubrovnik route from May 11, 2027—Dubrovnik’s first nonstop Canada link in decades—aimed at boosting North American connectivity and extending the season. Local Travel Notes: Croatia’s school year starts tomorrow, while Zagreb police seized 15 high-powered e-scooters during a safety crackdown. Food & Culture: Štrudlafest kicked off near Ozalj with new workshops and the “Golden Grandma” award, adding another reason to visit Croatia in early September.

Hazardous Waste Crisis: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of more than 30,000 tonnes of illegally dumped hazardous waste near Gospić in Lika, with protesters saying it threatens air, soil and drinking water and accusing authorities of delays. Aviation Boost for Dubrovnik: Air Canada will launch a seasonal direct Montreal–Dubrovnik route from May 11, 2027, three times weekly, strengthening North American access and potentially extending the season. New China Link to Zagreb: Air China began scheduled Beijing–Zagreb flights (via Bucharest) three times a week, marking Croatia’s first regular passenger connection with China. Winter Cruise Spotlight: MSC Cruises promoted its 2026-27 winter sailings, including longer options featuring Croatia alongside Greece and other Mediterranean stops. Local Safety Watch: Zagreb police seized 15 high-powered e-scooters during a crackdown, citing speed and power limits and recording dozens of rider offences. Culture & Food: Štrudlafest kicked off in Jaškovo near Ozalj with new workshops and the “Golden Grandma” award, while Cavtat’s Epidaurus Festival marked its 20th anniversary.

Air Connectivity Boost: Air China launched the first scheduled passenger service linking Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb on Sept 4, running three times weekly year-round and opening a new, direct gateway for Chinese leisure and business travelers. North America Links: Dubrovnik is set to gain a seasonal transatlantic route to Montreal from May 11, 2027, strengthening direct connectivity and helping extend the season. More Seats, Longer Seasons: Jet2 is expanding its summer 2027 programme with thousands of extra seats and later-season departures, adding or extending services to Croatian hotspots including Pula and Dubrovnik. Tourism Infrastructure Watch: The former Kupari resort near Dubrovnik is officially in “construction site” status for a future Four Seasons development, but key infrastructure (like a substation and sewage pumping station) still needs to be kept running. Cultural Spotlight: Cavtat’s Epidaurus Cavtat Festival marks its 20th anniversary this September, with a deeply personal edition dedicated to the artistic director’s mother. Heritage & Nature: A forgotten sundial at Cape Škamica on Pag has been reconstructed, while Đurđevac’s historic lowland fortress restoration is underway to bring new visitor content. On the Road: Croatian diesel prices could jump sharply next week as Iran-related oil market volatility feeds into pump costs.

New Air Link to China: Air China launched the first scheduled Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb passenger service, running three times a week year-round, giving Croatia a long-awaited direct gateway to China and boosting tourism and business ties. More Seats for Croatia in 2027: Jet2 is expanding its summer 2027 programme, adding thousands of seats and extending seasons to Croatian hotspots including Pula and Dubrovnik from multiple UK airports. Airport Momentum in the Region: Zagreb Airport welcomed the China route as part of a wider push for connectivity, while regional airport rankings highlighted strong passenger growth across the Balkans. Tourism Pressure on the Ground: In Zadar, local taxi drivers are raising alarms about foreign-registered vehicles allegedly operating without proper authorisation during peak season. Dubrovnik Luxury Update: The long-awaited Four Seasons project at Kupari is officially in “construction site” status, but major works are not yet underway due to still-operating infrastructure. Viral Debate: A new social-media travel video sparked debate over whether Croatia is Europe’s most beautiful country.

Air Connectivity Boost: Air Canada will launch a seasonal direct route from Dubrovnik to Montréal on May 11, 2027 (3x weekly), bringing Canada back to the city after more than 40 years. More Routes for Travelers: Air Canada also announced Summer 2027 expansion with new links including Dubrovnik, plus Guangzhou, Oslo, Shannon, and Basel—good news for Croatia’s long-haul demand. Local Transport & Access: Lokrum boat times have been updated, with frequent departures from Dubrovnik’s Old City Harbour and clear return schedules (weather can still disrupt services). Tourism Demand Signals: Dubrovnik Airport hit a new August record with 566,259 passengers, and the airport has already passed 2.34 million total passengers in 2026. Visitor Experience: British travel expert Simon Calder named Dubrovnik among Europe’s best September getaways, highlighting fewer crowds and still-warm seas. Cruise & Festival Ideas: Ultra Europe 2027 in Split (July 9–11) can be paired with small-ship cruises or flotilla holidays via Sail Croatia. On-the-Ground Economy: Croatia’s fiscalised receipts rose 17% in August, with accommodation and food services among the strongest performers.

Air Connectivity Boost: Air Canada is expanding its Summer 2027 network with seven new routes across Europe and Asia, including new service to Dubrovnik from Montréal (seasonal from May 11, 2027), plus Oslo, Shannon, Basel and Nice—another step for Croatia’s long-haul links. Dubrovnik Momentum: Dubrovnik’s airport keeps climbing, with 566,259 passengers in August (a new monthly record) and 2.35 million already through the first eight months of 2026. On-the-Ground Tourism Demand: Dubrovnik-Neretva County logged 2,073,318 overnight stays in August (over 2 million), with Brits leading overnight stays. Croatia Spend Up: August fiscalised receipts hit €6.56bn nationwide, with tourism and hospitality receipts rising to €1.8bn. Island Access Updates: Lokrum boat times have been updated, with frequent departures from Dubrovnik’s Old City Harbour and weather-related suspensions noted. Local Transport (Zagreb): Zagreb public transport shifts to an autumn timetable from Monday as the school year starts, including tram line returns and bus line changes. Cruise/Ferry Capacity: Jadrolinija carried 9.3 million passengers and 2.8 million vehicles in the first eight months of 2026, with new Adriatic routes added. Culture in Croatia: Korčula hosts a free Marko Polo Gala Concert overlooking the town on Sunday, September 6. Visa Rule Watch: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days for many nationalities from September 15, with Croatia included.

Zagreb City Transport: From Monday, 7 September, ZET switches to its autumn timetable, bringing back tram services on Zvonimirova Street (lines 9 and 17 plus night tram 32), resuming tram line 1 between Zapadni kolodvor and Borongaj, and restarting bus lines 114 and 275, while temporary bus line 602 is discontinued—aimed at handling the school-year rush. Adriatic Ferry Boost: Jadrolinija is extending the high-speed Zadar–Ancona line until 6 September, adding extra sailings on Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun with promotional adult tickets at €80 and child fares at €40, cutting the trip to about four hours. Dubrovnik Tourism Pulse: Dubrovnik is slightly ahead of last year with 959,776 arrivals and 3.1 million overnight stays (Jan 1–Aug 26), with Brits still leading overnight stays. Heritage & Culture: The Kaljski dialect from Kali on Ugljan has been added to Croatia’s protected intangible heritage register, and a UNESCO-backed forum in Burgas will spotlight maritime heritage and fishing traditions with a tourism-policy focus. Tech Scrutiny (Zagreb): Croatia’s robotaxi project faces a review of EU-backed funding after developer Verne offered to repay €89.7mn if contractual targets aren’t met.