Croatia Invests €1 Billion in Luxury Hotels to Boost Tourism Sector

ZAGREB, Croatia — Croatia is set to undergo a significant tourism transformation, with over €1 billion earmarked for investment in luxury hotels over the next two years. Major global hotel chains such as Hyatt, Marriott, Accor, and Hilton are preparing to enter the market, signaling a shift toward year-round tourism and sustainability.

In Pula, a former Austro-Hungarian military complex is being transformed into a high-end resort. Meanwhile, Zadar is set to welcome its first five-star hotel, the Hyatt Regency, located in the historical Maraska factory. Hilton is also launching a new island hotel on Ugljan, promising to create jobs and promote off-season travel.

Tourism is a key economic sector for Croatia, but currently, only 10% of the country’s accommodation capacity is in hotels. Experts, including Veljko Ostojić, head of the Croatian Tourism Association, emphasize that this number must double in the coming years to maintain competitiveness in the market.

New hotel developments are also planned in Split, Rijeka, Poreč, Ičići, Novi Vinodolski, and the Plitvice Lakes area, inducing a wave of optimism in the industry. These expansions come at a crucial time as the country looks to recover and grow its tourism sector.