Croatia is poised for a tourism transformation with over €1 billion set to be invested in luxury hotels over the next two years. Global chains like Hyatt, Marriott, Accor, and Hilton are entering the market, with several properties set to operate year-round—an important shift toward sustainable tourism.

In Pula, a former Austro-Hungarian military complex has been converted into a high-end resort. Zadar will welcome its first five-star hotel, the Hyatt Regency, in the former Maraska factory, while Hilton is opening a new island hotel on Ugljan, creating jobs and boosting off-season travel.

Despite tourism being a key sector, only 10% of Croatia’s accommodation capacity is in hotels. Experts, including Croatian Tourism Association head Veljko Ostojić, argue this number must double in the coming years to stay competitive.

New hotel developments are also underway in Split, Rijeka, Poreč, Ičići, Novi Vinodolski, and Plitvice, signaling a wave of optimism in the industry.