Tourism Development in Croatia – A Qualitative Study to Capture Perceptions and Current Challenges in the Tourism Industry

Abstract

Despite structural problems, Croatia indicates further expansion. The trend of increasing GDP has continued in recent years. The tourism sector significantly contributes to this development. To give a more detailed insight into this, the authors spoke to tourism industry officials to obtain their assessment and experiences via expert interviews. The methodological approach chosen from qualitative social research aims to identify future challenges, strengths and weaknesses for the Croatian tourism sector and to make recommendations. Preliminary results seem to suggest that, despite the increased tourist numbers, there is doubt as to whether Croatia´s tourism industry will be able to stay competitive with other countries in the future. Clear strategic planning is one of the weaknesses of economic indicators, such as a lack of qualified personnel or tax policy imbalances. The work aims to provide a contribution to the empirical research of Croatian tourism and to advance findings in the geospatial field of future challenges. Sustainability aspects also play an important role in making the country fit for the future.