The king of electronic music, Carl Cox, is delighted with Cave Romane.

Over 300,000 tourists have been staying in Istria this July, marking a better performance compared to last year. As of the latest reports, more than one million and 100,000 tourists are currently visiting Croatia, with Istria hosting over 300,000 of them. The summer season has shown signs of recovery after a weaker June, which was affected by the scheduling of school holidays in German regions, key sources of tourist inflow. This rebound is particularly notable in the city of Rovinj, where evening tables are fully booked, and the number of overnight stays has increased by two percent compared to the previous year. In Rovinj, approximately 38,000 registered guests are staying, with Germans, Austrians, and Dutch visitors being the most numerous. Italians are also returning in large numbers, especially to Pula and throughout Istria. By the first seven months of the year, their numbers have already exceeded last year’s figures by eight percent. The peak of the holiday season, Feragosto, has just begun, setting the stage for further growth. The success of the summer season has been confirmed by Dolores Dragun, director of the Stoja Camp in Pula, who noted that July was several percent better than the previous year. This improvement helped offset some of the losses incurred during June. In Pula, hotels are reporting positive results, with higher occupancy rates among establishments rated with more stars and those located in the city center. These properties are often sought after due to their proximity to major cultural events featuring world-renowned musicians. Denis Zembo, owner of a family-run hotel in Pula, stated that July brought a five percent increase in revenue, with three percent attributed to price increases and two percent to an increase in the number of overnight stays. The early days of August are also showing positive trends, suggesting that if these patterns continue, the overall revenue could reach record levels despite the rise in prices. Boris Žgomba, president of the Association of Tour Agency Agencies under HGK, addressed concerns regarding the quality of tourists and the impact of last-minute bookings. He emphasized that Croatia is performing well under these conditions, calling the situation “surprisingly good.” Žgomba dismissed claims that Croatian tourists are poor, stating that such remarks are an insult to those who visit. Instead, he pointed to issues within the local offer as potential areas for improvement. He highlighted that the first seven months of the year have kept Croatia's arrivals and overnight stays on par with last year’s figures. Žgomba stressed that the most critical months for tourism, August and September, are still ahead, and the current trend of last-minute bookings is not unexpected. He noted that this pattern has been observed for some time and is likely to shape the outcome of the season. Regarding rising prices along the Adriatic coast, Žgomba explained that pricing is a market-driven factor and should be left to market forces. He argued that if there is sufficient demand, prices are not too high. He urged property owners to adjust their offerings based on real value and market conditions. Žgomba also called for greater attention to internal shortcomings within the Croatian tourism sector, suggesting that improving the local offering would lead to better guest experiences. He concluded by encouraging a focus on domestic improvements rather than external criticism, emphasizing that addressing these issues would enhance the overall appeal of Croatia as a destination. The continued success of the summer season, supported by events such as the electronic music festival hosted in Cave Romane, underscores the growing attractiveness of Istria as a tourist destination.