The Zagreb County Tourist Board welcomed passengers arriving at Franjo Tuđman Airport with a gift inspired by the traditional costume of Turopolje, making their first encounter with Croatia memorable.
To mark Zagreb County Day, one hundred passengers arriving at Franjo Tuđman Airport were greeted in a truly memorable way. In cooperation with Zagreb International Airport, the Zagreb County Tourist Board presented travellers with 100 promotional T-shirts featuring a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Turopolje costume, turning a routine airport arrival into a heartfelt introduction to continental Croatia and its renowned hospitality.
The gesture was met with genuine smiles, confirming what Zagreb County firmly believes: that even the smallest act of kindness, when sincere and thoughtfully designed, can become a powerful expression of identity, warmth and welcome. The special atmosphere was enhanced by members of the Gradići Cultural and Artistic Society (KUD Gradići), dressed in authentic Turopolje folk costumes. Their presence brought the region's living heritage to life and further highlighted the enduring value of Croatian hospitality.
Through this initiative, Zagreb County further strengthens its position on Croatia's tourism map as a destination of authentic experiences, living traditions and a distinctive identity. At the same time, it reflects the Zagreb County Tourist Board's long-term strategy of creating a memorable first impression at the country's main gateways—in this case, the airport, Croatia's gateway to the world—where hospitality becomes the very first word with which the destination introduces itself to every visitor.
Results That Reflect Quality
The hospitality of Zagreb County is reflected not only in visitors' experiences but also in its tourism results. According to the eVisitor system, as of 12 July 2026, the county recorded 137,695 overnight stays since the beginning of the year, surpassing last year's total by 0.5%. Growth has been particularly strong among domestic travellers, who generated 50,252 overnight stays, representing an increase of almost 9% compared with the previous year. This confirms that Croatian visitors are increasingly recognising the appeal and value of continental Croatia.
Equally encouraging is the qualitative picture behind these figures. Alongside the increase in overnight stays, the average length of stay has also grown slightly. More and more visitors are choosing Zagreb County as an independent travel destination, with individual travellers accounting for 123,041 overnight stays, an increase of approximately 3.5% year-on-year. Demand for private accommodation continues to rise as well, recording 42,338 overnight stays, up 6.4%, while hotels have maintained stable occupancy levels. Among long-haul markets, the United States stands out, recording almost 11% more overnight stays, further demonstrating the destination's growing international recognition.
The strongest results were achieved by Velika Gorica, with 46,848 overnight stays and a 7% increase. At the same time, Zaprešić recorded growth of almost 18%, confirming the positive development of the destinations within Zagreb's green ring. These figures show that Zagreb County is increasingly becoming a destination where visitors stay longer, enjoy richer experiences and are eager to return.
"We believe that first impressions matter. Our goal is for travellers to feel the warmth and authenticity of our region from the very moment they arrive. This activation at the airport is a symbolic yet powerful way to communicate the values of community, hospitality, and the rich cultural heritage we proudly preserve. Zagreb County is developing as a region with a long-term vision—through sustainable tourism, short supply chains, strong support for family-run farms and the creation of innovative tourism products that respond to the real needs of today's travellers," said Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.
The airport stands as a critical ally in the strategic promotion and enhancement of the continent's interests
"Franjo Tuđman Airport serves as a powerful platform for the development of continental tourism, an increasingly important segment of Croatia's tourism offer. Excellent air connectivity to numerous European and international destinations provides visitors with easy access to the culturally rich, gastronomically diverse, and uniquely natural attractions of continental Croatia. We are especially pleased with our successful cooperation with the Zagreb County Tourist Board on a range of initiatives that further promote the destination's unique offer while enhancing the overall passenger experience at the airport," said David Gabelica, Member of the Management Board of Zagreb International Airport.
The powerful collaboration between the destination and its travellers
This symbolic welcome represents another step towards the Zagreb County Tourist Board's vision of creating a destination that offers genuine hospitality, rich traditions and memorable experiences at every stage of the visitor journey—from the very first greeting at the airport to discovering the charm of its rural landscapes.
Visitors are invited to explore a region that captivates not only with its beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage, but also with the genuine smiles of its hosts and the warmth of its traditions and flavours, which leave a lasting impression.
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