Foreign cruise ships made 505 trips along the Croatian Adriatic in the first eight months of this year, a 9.1% increase compared with the same period in 2024, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS). These cruises carried 692,000 passengers, up 3% year-on-year.

August was the busiest month, with 128 cruises (+21%) bringing 175,600 passengers (+11.6%), making it the strongest month for the sector so far this year, just ahead of July.

In total, 76 foreign cruise ships visited Croatia between January and August, eight more than last year. The majority sailed under the flags of Malta, the Bahamas, Panama, and Norway.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County saw the most cruise activity, accounting for 47% of all visits, followed by Split-Dalmatia with 22%. The most frequently visited ports were Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar, with Korčula, Hvar, Rovinj, and Šibenik also popular stops.

Croatia recorded another strong month of tourism in September, welcoming 2.5 million visitors who achieved 13.8 million overnight stays, both up 5% compared with September 2024, according to the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ).

Overall, in the first nine months of 2025, the country registered 19.7 million arrivals (+2%) and nearly 104 million overnight stays (+1%). Foreign visitors made up the majority, with 17.1 million arrivals and 91.3 million overnight stays, while domestic tourism also grew by 8%, with 2.6 million Croatians generating 12.4 million overnight stays.

Foreign guests dominated September traffic, accounting for 92% of arrivals (2.3 million) and 91% of overnight stays (12.3 million). Germans led the way with 488,000 arrivals and 3.9 million overnight stays, followed by Austria, Slovenia, Poland, and the UK.

Family accommodation remained the most popular choice, representing 37% of all overnight stays, followed by hotels (29%) and campsites (25%), all showing growth compared to last year.

Among regions, the Adriatic coast accounted for 96% of overnight stays, with Istria leading at 28.5% (up 8.2%), followed by Split-Dalmatia County (20.2%) and Kvarner (16.3%). Continental destinations also grew, with Zagreb recording a 6.2% rise in overnight stays.

Dubrovnik General Hospital has received a new ultrasound device valued at €74,350 for its Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, significantly improving healthcare services for women.

The purchase was made possible thanks to a €50,000 donation from Hrvatska Lutrija, whose board members Nikolina Klaić and Dijana Pavićević attended the official handover ceremony today. They emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in the community and supporting key areas such as healthcare.

On behalf of the hospital, assistant director for nursing Niko Car, gynecology specialist Dr. Mislav Bender, and head nurse Sabina Dilberović expressed their gratitude.

The new high-resolution ultrasound system allows for more precise monitoring of pregnancies, early diagnosis of gynecological conditions, and faster, safer patient care.

This donation highlights the importance of cooperation between socially responsible companies and healthcare institutions, marking another step in the hospital’s ongoing modernization.

The Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development has approved €108,800 in non-refundable EU funds for the project “Renovation of the Srebreno–Kupari Promenade” in Župa Dubrovačka.

The project is being implemented under intervention 77.06 – support for the LEADER (CLLD) approach, as part of Croatia’s Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027, through the Local Action Group “Dubrovačka traversa.”

Its aim is to improve public infrastructure along the Srebreno–Kupari promenade, enhancing the quality of life for residents, enriching the tourist offer, and preserving the area’s natural resources. Planned works include upgrading and equipping the walkway, improving coastal connectivity, and creating a welcoming recreational space for both locals and visitors.

The initiative is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) as part of the Local Development Strategy of LAG Dubrovačka traversa.

Yesterday at Dubrovnik’s Ruđer Bošković Airport, a special ceremony marked the arrival of Croatia Airlines’ first commercial Airbus A220-100 flight.

The new aircraft, officially added to the fleet on 30 September 2025, proudly carries the name “Dubrovnik.” Its inaugural service brought passengers from Zagreb to Dubrovnik on the airline’s regular domestic route.

Following the landing, airline and airport representatives celebrated the milestone, underlining the benefits of the new fleet in delivering a modern, comfortable, and efficient flying experience for travellers.

@farhanasim261 Rest Before flying Dubrovnik Airport Lounge #dubrovnik #croatia???????? #airport ♬ original sound - Bruno Mars

It may be October, but the wider Dubrovnik region is still basking in glorious sunshine. Locals and visitors alike took advantage of today’s warm weather, with beaches in Mlini and Srebreno resembling summer rather than autumn.

@dubrovnik_times Srebreno in October and the beaches are jolly #traveltiktok #croatia #adriatic #beach #dubrovnik ♬ I'll Never Let You Go - Official Sound Studio

Sunbathers stretched out along the Adriatic shore, while the braver ones went a step further—taking a refreshing swim in the clear blue sea. With temperatures well above average for the season, the region once again showed why it’s one of Europe’s most appealing year-round destinations.

For those lucky enough to be here, today felt less like autumn and more like an encore of summer.

Ruđer Bošković Airport in Dubrovnik had another record-breaking month, proving that even as the tourist season winds down, the numbers keep climbing.

In September 2025, the airport welcomed 443,444 passengers, a 5% increase compared with the same month last year. Aircraft movements also grew, with 3,564 operations recorded. But the real surprise came in the cargo sector, where the airport handled 15,812 kilograms—a staggering 595% jump year-on-year.

“The season may be ending, but our growth certainly isn’t,” airport officials noted, adding that Dubrovnik continues to strengthen its position as a key hub for both tourism and logistics in southern Croatia.

Analysts from the UniCredit Group expect Croatia’s economy to grow by 3.1% in 2025 and 3.2% in 2026, outpacing both the EU average and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The forecast, released by Zagrebačka banka, highlights personal consumption as the main driver of growth.

“Croatia’s economy has proven resilient to recent global challenges, thanks largely to domestic factors, a strong labour market, personal spending, and EU-funded projects under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan,” said Hrvoje Dolenec, Chief Economist of Zagrebačka banka.

According to UniCredit’s latest quarterly report, the CEE region will remain one of Europe’s most dynamic growth areas, with GDP expected to rise 2.2% in 2025 and 2.4% in 2026, driven by consumption, export stabilization, and renewed investment flows.