The 2025 tourist season in Konavle has surpassed expectations, even when compared with last year’s record-breaking results. In the first eight months of the year, arrivals increased by 6.5%, while visitors generated around 640,000 overnight stays, marking steady growth for the southernmost part of Croatia.

The most notable increase came from the hotel sector, which saw significant gains, while private accommodation recorded a slight decline. British visitors remain the largest single market, although their numbers have dipped compared to previous years. At the same time, new markets have driven growth: overnight stays from U.S. tourists rose by 30%, from Poland by 23%, and from Ireland by 11% year-on-year.

Strong results in the pre-season months are particularly encouraging, with Konavle welcoming more guests than ever before during that period.

Tourism officials say the figures confirm Konavle’s success in positioning itself as a destination that combines natural beauty, cultural heritage, and year-round appeal. The positive results underline the municipality’s status as one of the most stable and promising tourist destinations in the region.

United Airlines has recorded a sharp rise in passenger traffic on its nonstop seasonal service between New York Newark and Dubrovnik during the opening months of the 2025 summer season.

Between May and June, the carrier handled 21,329 passengers, with an average cabin load factor of 77.6%. Of these, 10,939 travelers flew into Dubrovnik, while 10,390 passengers departed for Newark.

United resumed the route on May 1, operating daily flights to the end of October. The earlier start and expanded schedule compared to 2024, when services began on May 24 with fewer frequencies, led to a 144% increase in traffic, or 12,603 additional passengers. The airline also significantly boosted capacity, adding 17,325 extra seats, a rise of 170% year-on-year.

The figures highlight the strong demand for direct transatlantic connections to Dubrovnik, confirming the city’s continued appeal as a top U.S. leisure destination in the Adriatic.

Companies in Dubrovnik-Neretva County employed 22,760 workers last year, a 5% increase compared to 2023, according to official data. The largest share of employees remains in tourism-related sectors—accommodation and food services—which accounted for 30% of the workforce, or 6,769 employees.

Across the county as a whole, the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute reported 48,915 people in employment at the end of 2024, up by 2,245 compared to the previous year. Seasonal labour also grew, with a 4.5% increase on 2023 and 3% more than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, underscoring the county’s strong dependence on tourism and seasonal industries.

The average monthly net salary in county-based companies stood at €1,098 in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 14%. The highest wages were recorded in the electricity supply sector at €1,333, while the lowest were in education at €747. In tourism—the county’s biggest employer—the average salary reached €1,210, a 10% rise compared with the previous year.

For comparison, Croatia’s national average net salary in 2024 was around €1,250, meaning wages in Dubrovnik-Neretva County remain slightly below the national level. However, the county’s 14% wage growth outpaced the national average increase of 12%.

The tourist season on Lastovo is still in full swing, with results comparable to last year, according to the island’s Tourist Board Director, Diana Magdić. She noted that June and July matched last year’s visitor numbers, while the island’s overall offering continues to expand.

“Guests are satisfied, they come back, and they recognize Lastovo for what makes it unique,” Magdić said. She highlighted that the island’s appeal lies in its natural beauty, opportunities for swimming and walking, and what she calls “modern luxury” – peace, quiet, and an authentic atmosphere.

As a protected nature park, Lastovo attracts those seeking a genuine escape. “People who want real rest choose Lastovo, and not just once. They return year after year,” Magdić explained. After seven years in her role, she estimates that almost half of visitors are repeat guests, many of whom feel like seasonal residents.

Magdić concluded that the gratitude and enjoyment expressed by returning tourists show that Lastovo’s unique charm continues to resonate strongly.

Work on the new athletics track at Lapad Stadium is entering its final phase. Before the surface was asphalted, construction included removing the existing soil layer, installing channels for rainwater drainage, and fitting collectors and pipelines to manage stormwater.

Over the next two weeks, weather permitting, the sports surface will be laid and marked, completing another major investment by the City of Dubrovnik in its long-neglected sports infrastructure.

As the summer season draws to a close, Cavtat will bid farewell with an evening of music and celebration. On Thursday, September 19, at 9:00 PM, the Summer Stage at Dr. Franjo Tuđman Square will host the “Farewell Summer Concert,” featuring rising star Jakov Jozinović and his band.

Set against the enchanting backdrop of Cavtat’s historic old town, the concert will bring audiences a mix of beloved Croatian and international hits. Organizers say the event is a way to mark the end of a successful tourist season and to thank both locals and visitors for their support.

Admission to the concert is free, and all are welcome to join in the festivities.

Pensions and wages in Croatia have risen faster than inflation during the government’s mandate, Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Marin Piletić said on HRT’s A sada Vlada. He announced that pensioners will receive a special annual supplement in December, with exact amounts still being calculated.

Piletić stressed that government subsidies on electricity, gas, and heating will continue but gradually phase out as energy markets stabilize. Thanks to interventions, the average household electricity bill is currently €40 instead of €50; under new measures, it will rise gradually to €43, then €45.

He reminded viewers that electricity prices have surged 17-fold since 2020 and that citizens could not have coped without state aid. Subsidies will also keep energy costs lower for hospitals, schools, kindergartens, elderly homes, and public lighting.

Piletić underlined that incomes have grown significantly: wages and pensions have increased by more than 92% since the government took office, compared to overall inflation of 35%, meaning real growth of over 47%. By the end of the mandate, the government’s goal is to lift the average net salary to €1,600 and the minimum wage to €1,250 gross.

Croatia is preparing to overhaul its motorway toll collection system, moving away from traditional toll booths toward a fully electronic, barrier-free model. The new system, which will be regulated by upcoming legislation, will allow vehicles to pass through motorway entrances and exits without stopping, with tolls charged automatically.

According to Croatian Motorways (HAC), drivers will be able to choose between two payment methods: an on-board electronic device (ENC) or an automatic licence plate recognition system. Both options will remove the need for physical toll stations and queues, making travel smoother and faster.

HAC emphasized that while direct cash payments at motorway exits will no longer be possible, users will still be able to top up their chosen payment method—ENC or licence plate account—using cash. This can be done at HAC sales offices, concessionaire outlets, and other authorized points of sale such as petrol stations.

The introduction of the system is expected to significantly improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and modernize Croatia’s toll collection in line with European best practices.