The data were provided by the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) to Hina on Tuesday.
From 1 January to 31 July 2024, the number of travellers in Croatia increased 3% as against the same period in 2023 to reach 12 million, and they made 54.7 million overnight stays, +1%.
The destinations in the interior of Croatia saw a 6% rise in overnight stays to reach 1.5 million in the first seven months of 2024.
The coastal destinations saw 53.2 million arrivals in the said period.
Commenting on the results, Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina told Hina that the results in the first seven months were satisfactory.
He underscored a 10-percent rise in air transport, and a 4-percent rise in turnover in seaports.
The minister said that the tourism sector's aim is to reach an increase in the turnover in the pre-season and in the post-season, rather than during the peak of the season.
We find it important to see that tourist statistics are coupled with excellent financial indicators. The number of bills and receipts issued is 5.9% higher than in the first seven months of 2023, he added.
HTZ director Kristjan Staničić told Hina today that in July the results were as expected.
Since 17 July, we have had over a million visitors in Croatia on a daily basis. Currently, 1,008,500 guests are staying in Croatia, he added.
The impression about the season being weak is being created by rental properties where the occupancy rate is low, but the general public should know that our tourist trade rises annually at a certain rate, said Staničić.
Furthermore, Croatia now has 49,000 more beds in family-run rental properties than last year, and in the long run, the further growth of accommodation capacity is not sustainable, he said.
Staničić said he expected very good results in the post-season.