The Croatian National Tourist Board is presenting Croatia’s tourism offer at the ILTM North America luxury travel fair, which is taking place in the Bahamas until October 9.
ILTM – International Luxury Travel Market North America – is one of the key business events for connecting global luxury travel suppliers with specialized advisors from the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The main exhibitor at ILTM is the Croatian National Tourist Board, in partnership with the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
Strong Croatian Presence at ILTM North America
„Participation in this fair is aligned with the strategy and marketing plan of Croatian tourism, aimed at strengthening the positioning of Croatia’s tourism offer in the premium segment. We are pleased that American partners, who largely recognize Croatia as a top-tier destination, have very specific inquiries and are announcing an intensification of sales of Croatian destinations. This is a clear signal and an indication of growth in the coming years, especially when such announcements come from respected professionals.
The American market unquestionably remains our most promising long-haul market, particularly in the premium and luxury segment, which makes us even happier to see a wide range of significant investments in Croatia’s luxury tourism offer-from American brands such as Hyatt Regency and Curio by Hilton to the Materra wellness hotel near Osijek, while the announced investments from domestic groups such as Maistra and Valamar are especially anticipated“, said Leila Krešić-Jurić, director of the CNTB Representative Office for North America, based in New York, adding that American guests travel throughout the entire year and contribute to tourism results outside the main summer months.
This year’s ILTM has brought together more than 500 exhibitors from both the USA and Europe. The event features numerous representatives of luxury hotels, tour operators, carriers, agencies, and tourism destinations. In addition to the Croatian National Tourist Board and the Croatian Chamber of Economy with its premium tourism platform Stories – Experience Premium Croatia, nine more co-exhibitors from Croatia are participating: the Zagreb Tourist Board as an additional event partner, as well as Adriatic Allure Croatia, Hilton Hotels Croatia, Perfecta Travel, Permansio Deluxe Getaways, Rixos Premium Dubrovnik, Supertours Incoming DMC, Taste Dalmatia DMC & Impresia Hotels, and Valamar.
North America Remains a Key Premium Market
„North America is an important market for us. American guests in Croatia are known for seeking experiences above the average and for valuing top-quality services. They are also known for spending, on average, twice as much as other guests in Croatia. Participation in the fair is an investment in strengthening Croatia’s recognition as a destination offering authentic premium experiences and year-round tourism with higher-value overnight stays. Over the course of three days, we held more than fifty meetings with agencies to bring Croatia’s premium offer closer to them, with a special emphasis on the members of our Stories platform“, said Jelena Mesić, Head of the Hospitality and Special Forms of Tourism Department at the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
Growing Demand for Authentic Premium Experiences
„ILTM North America is an excellent opportunity for us to present our complete offer—alongside our DMC services, we are also showcasing the luxury boutique hotels under our management. This confirms that American guests in Europe increasingly seek authentic, personalized, and premium experiences, which we are proud to provide“, said Matea Jerić Ćurković, General Manager of Perfecta Travel.
Special Presentation Showcases Croatia’s Premium Offer
As part of the event, the Croatian National Tourist Board, in cooperation with HGK and the Zagreb Tourist Board, organized a special presentation of Croatia for more than 40 agents from the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The presentation showcased new products for agents who already sell Croatia, with an emphasis on sustainability and new, very unique hotel capacities that offer top-quality, year-round slow-travel experiences.
The Director of the CNTB Representative Office for North America also presented the latest updates on Croatia’s luxury travel offer at a media conference, inviting journalists to visit lesser-known Croatian destinations outside the main season and experience the sustainability and excellence of Croatia’s offer firsthand.
According to data from the eVisitor system, Croatia has recorded a 10% increase in arrivals and overnight stays from the US market so far this year compared to last year. Looking at the type of accommodation, American guests achieved the most overnight stays in hotels, while the most visited destinations include Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Hvar, and Rovinj.
