Croatia reports record tourist arrivals so far in 2025

(Reuters) -Croatia recorded 15.5 million tourist arrivals and 79.2 million overnight stays so far this year, a 1% increase from the same period in 2024, Tourism Minister Tonci Glavina said on Thursday, branding 2025 a "record year," state television HRT reported.

"Including August 20 of this year, we have had a record traffic of tourist arrivals and overnight stays, and simultaneously a record spending and growth in tourist activities," Glavina told reporters after a government session.

Tourist spending in the January-August period jumped 10.4% from the same period last year, he said, citing fiscal bills.

The central bank estimated in June that revenues from foreign tourist arrivals in 2025 would rise 3.6% to 15.5 billion euros ($18.01 billion).

Tourism accounts for 20% of Croatia's economy and tourist officials are working to secure a year-around tourist season, not just during the peak summer months.

($1 = 0.8608 euros)

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Bernadette Baum)