Official data from the Ministry of the Sea show that the first half of August is only a quarter weaker than in 2019
Nautics, as predicted, achieved better results in tourism, compared to the other sectors. Due to the very nature of isolation during stay on board it is easier for boaters to adhere to the prescribed precautions, so guests feel safer due to less exposure. Despite a strong blow to the economy and psychological pressure, nautical tourism has shown its advantage.
Comparing the numbers of issued or extended applications for the arrival of foreign yachts and boat, made for the period from 1 to 13 August 2019 with the same period this year, the overall decline is only 25 percent. The port administrations in Rijeka and Pula have the most issued and extended licenses, as they did last year. A slightly larger decrease was recorded in the number of reports of arrivals of recreational vessels longer than 24 meters. There were 221 of them this year, while there were 385 last year, or 42,6 percent less. The percentage of falls are similar to boats, 39,41 percent – 2464 last year and 1493 this year.
However, the situation shows that foreigners haven’t lost confidence in Croatia, so the percentage of the extension is lower than in 2019. Also, 4073 licenses for boats were extended, which is a decrease of 19,43 percent compared to last year, while decreasing the number of the yachts is almost insignificant, only 0,95 percent. According to the statement of the Minister of Tourism Nikola Brnjac, published in Slobodna Dalmacija, that Croatia has achieved more than 60 percent of the total tourist results from last year, we can say that the overall picture is not as bad as predicted in March. At that time, the forecasts for total tourist achievements compared to last year were between 30 and 50 percent.
