Croatia is Europe's leading camping destination by quality for 2027

Croatia has been named Europe’s leading camping destination for quality for the 2027 season, according to recent research by PiNCAMP, a platform operated by the German automobile club ADAC. This announcement was made during the 20th Congress of Croatian Camping, held from October 19 to 21 at the Hotel Well in Termal Tuhelj. The event, organized by the Croatian Camping Association, marked a milestone for the sector after two decades of improved accommodation diversity and service standards. The country recorded nearly 3.4 million arrivals and 21.4 million overnight stays in campsites this year. Veljko Ostojic, president of the Executive Board of the Croatian Camping Association and director of the Croatian Tourism Association, described the achievement as the realization of a long-held dream for tourism workers. He noted that investments over the past decade have paid off, with guests recognizing the enhanced quality. Ostojic emphasized that further development depends on legal frameworks regarding spatial planning, maritime property, and tourism regulations. He expressed confidence that clear conditions will enable new investments, which he believes are essential for raising quality levels. Adriano Palman, director of the Croatian Camping Association, stated that the next step involves improving the overall stay experience beyond just lodging. This includes upgrading plots, sanitary facilities, shade, services, and content that encourage visits outside the summer season. He highlighted the importance of maintaining offer variety, ranging from tent sites and camper spots to mobile homes, small family camps, and large resorts. Research should guide investments toward specific guest groups, while technology can streamline booking processes, allowing staff more time for customer interaction. Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport illustrates the sector's transformation. In 2007, Croatia had 13 four-star campsites and none rated five stars. By 2025, the number of four-star sites rose to 82, with nine entering the five-star category. Consequently, 58 percent of Croatian campsite capacity now falls into the four or five-star categories. Industry representatives noted that half of all campsites hold these high ratings, accounting for 20 percent of all overnight stays in the country. Guest loyalty supports this competitiveness, with surveys indicating that 50 percent of visitors return seven or more times. PiNCAMP expects continued strong demand from German and Dutch markets for the upcoming season. The number of Croatian campsites designated as ADAC Superplatz has grown to 29. Key questions discussed at the congress included how to maintain competitiveness in the European market and create conditions for sustainable growth. The industry views the new ranking as additional motivation to continue developing infrastructure and responding to increasingly demanding guest expectations. The sector aims to leverage its position as the highest-quality camping destination in Europe to drive future expansion.