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.

Croatia has cemented its position as one of the world’s premier yachting destinations, now accounting for around 40% of global yacht charters, according to the Ministry of Tourism. New figures show the trend is accelerating: between January and July 2025, the country welcomed 72 foreign cruise vessels making 377 journeys and carrying more than 516,000 passengers. That marks a 10.8% increase in vessel arrivals and a 9.2% rise in overnight stays compared to the same period last year (Croatian Bureau of Statistics, September 2025).

Industry leaders highlight a mix of factors behind Croatia’s booming nautical sector. “Many of our villa guests are increasingly requesting yachts as part of their holiday packages,” said Darijo Sarić, CEO of VIP Holiday Booker, a luxury travel company specializing in yacht experiences. “For them, it’s not only about accommodation, but about enjoying the full experience – waking up in a beachfront villa and setting off on a yacht to explore hidden bays and remote islands.”

High-profile celebrity visitors have also helped raise Croatia’s profile on the global stage. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were recently spotted hosting celebrations at sea, while Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the Beckhams, and Jon Bon Jovi have all enjoyed sailing along the Dalmatian coast. Each appearance fuels international media coverage and amplifies Croatia’s image as a luxury yachting hub.

Events such as the annual Yacht Week, launched in 2006, have added another dimension, attracting thousands of young travelers for a week of island-hopping, beach parties, and live music. This vibrant side of yachting sits alongside Croatia’s more serene offerings, where slower-paced voyages provide privacy, comfort, and a deeper connection with the Adriatic’s natural beauty.

With demand growing across both adventurous and refined segments of the market, Croatia’s nautical tourism continues to chart a course as one of the country’s most dynamic and high-value travel sectors.