Support to Croatia’s tourism ecosystem: towards a more sustainable, resilient and digital tourism

The European Commission supported this flagship technical support project targeted at EU Member States wishing to build a more sustainable, resilient and digital tourism ecosystem. The flagship seeks to promote the digital and green transitions, strengthen regional cohesion and support the post COVID-19 recovery of tourism in Europe to make it fit for the future challenges in the global market. The flagship offers activity packages to enable Member States to engage in effective reforms in the area of the tourism ecosystem.

Context 

Tourism is an important economic driver in Croatia. However, tourism activity in the country is characterised by pronounced seasonality and regional concentration. This puts significant pressure on destinations and local communities during peak months. In addition, the sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the underlying weakness in Croatia’s tourism economy. Under Croatia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Croatia has committed to undertake a comprehensive reform in order to move to a more sustainable and resilient tourism model, including by i) drawing up the Sustainable TSA of the Republic of Croatia and ii) entry into force of a new Tourism Act establishing a framework for monitoring and development of the tourism sector. 

Support delivered

• Undertaking analysis of the current situation for the development of the Tourism Sustainability Satellite account; 
• Supporting and organising technical workshops on the development and implementation of indicators measuring and monitoring the sustainability of tourism; 
• Supporting a multi-country workshop on data sharing and integration; 
• Delivering a report, including guidance to support the Tourism Sustainability Satellite Account; 
• Undertaking comparative analysis of legislative frameworks to monitor and develop tourism;  
• Organising a technical workshop on developing an effective legal framework for tourism (Provide technical workshops and learning events, build capacity); 
• Delivering a report with guidance on the drafting of the new Tourism Law; 
• Undertaking diagnostic of current Destination Management Organisations - DMOs (Desk research, analysis, assessment, consult with stakeholders); 
• Delivering a report, including guidance on strengthening DMOs.

Results achieved  

The main results of this support project will be: 

• upgraded tourism statistics with focus on sustainability for better decision making;
• an improved enabling regulatory framework for a more sustainable, resilient and digital tourism ecosystem.