Geography of tourism in Croatia

Abstract

Croatia, located in one of the oldest and most important tourist regions of the world, the Mediterranean Basin, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Traditions of tourism development in Croatia date back to Roman times. The mass tourism, however, expanded in the 1960s and in the 1970s in accordance with an economic policy of Yugoslavia. The number of tourists visiting Croatia was increasing until the Yugoslav civil wars, fought from 1991 to 1995. Croatia has been making a successful effort to return to the international tourism market since then. In 2014, the country was visited by 13.2 million tourists, which is almost 3 times more than its population. Tourists are attracted by both natural and cultural heritage. Although historical places, monuments, museums, and other cultural attractions are of a great value and begin to play an increasingly important role in the development of tourism, the geographical diversity seems to be the main reason for visiting Croatia. The Adriatic Sea shore contrasts with the Dinaric Alps and lowlands regions and varies the territory of only 56,594 km2. Moreover, the indented coastline with a large number of islands (1246 islands, islets, rocks, and reefs) together with the Mediterranean climate are the reasons why Croatia is perceived primarily as a country of coastal tourism, where leisure activities are of a great importance. On the other hand, new forms of marine tourism, such as yachting and diving, are also widespread.