A Climate for Change

Human Development Report - Croatia 2008 Tourism^53

4.1. Introduction

Tourism in Croatia is primarily focused on the Adriatic
coast, with a smaller amount in natural areas inland.
Tourists stayed for a total of 56 million overnights in
Croatia in 2007 alone, spending EUR 6.7 billion. Over-
all, tourism generates about 20% of GDP and 336,000
jobs. Most projections on tourism flows in the EU show
that by the end of the century, warmer daytime tem-
peratures along the Adriatic coast will cause a large
number of beach tourists to avoid coastal destinations
in favour of cooler locations to the north. This could
have serious, adverse consequences on many local
communities, and the national economy. This chapter
illustrates how tourism affects human development
and points out the potential risks and opportunities
that may occur as a result of climate change. It also
discusses the general capacity to project the impacts
of climate change and to estimate the costs and ben-
efits of avoiding damages through adaptation. Finally,
it highlights some potential adaptation measures that
may be considered for making the tourism sector less
vulnerable to climate change as well as needs for fur-
ther research and discussion.

4.2. The importance of tourism in

Croatia

4.2.1. The history of tourism in Croatia

Tourism has a long tradition in Croatia. It is focused on

the coast and oriented towards relaxation, with 62%

of tourists coming for “passive rest and relaxation.”^1

Almost all of the tourism destinations are in Adriatic

coastal areas, while the city of Zagreb is the other

major area visited. In 2007, almost 90% of all tourists

visited coastal counties (though this also includes Plit-

vice Lakes National Park – which is inland), while 6%

visited Zagreb.^2 The political and economic decentral-

ization of 1965 (which emphasised building an open

economy) stimulated the growth of the industry.^3

Before the war in Croatia, from 1991 to 1995, the tour-

ism industry had a strong influence on establishing a

middle class at the coast. Income growth from tourism

was much faster and larger than in the fishing industry,

traditional boat building industry or agriculture and

the employment structure began to change. Coastal

communities became areas oriented towards apart-

Figure 4-1: The Island of Mljet.

Almost all of

the tourism

destinations

are in Adriatic

coastal areas,

while the city of

Zagreb is the

other major area

visited

Source: Croatian National Tourist Board.