Flourishes with Impressive Growth in Visitors

Vukovar, a captivating tourist destination, has experienced a remarkable surge in visitors, showcasing promising numbers in the �irst half of this year. According to recent reports, an impressive total of 30,725 individuals �locked to Vukovar during this period, leading to a staggering 78 percent increase in the number of guests compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the overnight stays recorded an impressive 74 percent growth.

It is worth mentioning that these statistics encompass school excursions, which resumed in April last year after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Remarkably, even without considering school excursions, there has still been a com- mendable increase of 24 percent in arrivals and 17 percent in overnight stays.

Kristina Bilić, the head of the Administrative Department for Economy, highlighted the commendable strides Vukovar has made in the tourism sector. She attributed the outstanding results to the collective dedication of everyone involved in the tourism industry. Bilić expressed her gratitude to the various associations and institutions cooperating with the City and the Tourist Board, acknowledging their instrumental role in achieving such success. The events organized by these partners undoubtedly contributed to the positive indicators. Furthermore, Bilić emphasized the close relationship between tourism and economic de- velopment, acknowledging the signi�icant impact of the thriving tourism sector on the overall economy.

Authorities lauded this year’s achievements as a validation of Vukovar’s recognition by the Croatian Tourist Board as one of the most successful continental urban tourism destinations in the previous year.

The current year has witnessed the opening of 13 new private apartments, rooms, and holiday houses, effectively increasing Vukovar’s accommodation capacity to 71 facilities with 1099 beds.

A key contributor to Vukovar’s burgeoning tourist numbers is the presence of Danube cruise ships operating on a circular route, attracting visitors from across the globe. Since the �irst cruise ship docked on March 17, a total of 145 out of the 341 announced cruises have been recorded, carrying 18,796 passengers. Notably, this represents 63 percent of last year’s �igures, with expectations of surpassing the announced cruise ship arrivals, as the season continues until year-end.

Amidst the success, hopes are high for the development of another hotel in Vukovar. The data reveals a speci�ic group of guests seeking this type of accommodation, potentially fostering growth in sports and congress tourism.

With an ever-increasing in�lux of tourists and a range of diverse offerings, Vukovar remains on a promising trajectory as a thriving and sought-after destination in the realm of tourism.