REPORT

Destination
Competitiveness
Index 2026

Benchmarking the performance and potential of Adriatic destinations.

May 26, 2025
14 min read
Insights
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Executive Summary

The Adriatic continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe's most desirable travel regions. Our 2026 Destination Competitiveness Index evaluates key performance indicators across 25 leading destinations in the Adriatic, measuring their current competitiveness and future potential.

The index assesses six pillars critical to long-term destination success.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE

The overall quality and diversity of visitor experiences.

ACCESSIBILITY

Connectivity, ease of access and transport infrastructure.

HOSPITALITY PERFORMANCE

Hotel performance, accommodation offering and service standards.

SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental management and commitment to sustainable tourism.

DESTINATION MANAGEMENT

Governance, strategy, marketing effectiveness and stakeholder collaboration.

FUTURE POTENTIAL

Investment potential, innovation and ability to grow year-round.

Top 10 Destinations Overall

1Dubrovnik8.91
2Rovinj8.64
3Hvar8.52
4Split8.17
5Kotor8.08
6Zadar7.89
7Opatija7.74
8Poreč7.63
9Šibenik7.48
10Trogir7.36

See full ranking of 25 destinations in the report.

Overall Ranking Overview

COMPETITIVENESS SCORE
8.5 and above Leading Destinations
7.5 - 8.4 Strong Performers
6.5 - 7.4 Developing
Below 6.5 Emerging

Performance by Pillar

Quality of Experience8.3
Accessibility7.8
Hospitality Performance8.1
Sustainability7.6
Destination Management7.5
Future Potential8.0

Key Findings

Destinations that invest in experiences, sustainability and year-round offerings consistently outperform the regional average.

Accessibility improvements continue to be a major driver of competitiveness across coastal and island destinations.

Sustainability has become a key differentiator, influencing traveller choice more than ever.

Year-round tourism strategy is essential for building long-term resilience and economic impact.

Trends Shaping Competitiveness

"Competitiveness is no longer about having the most visitors. It's about creating the most valuable experiences for the right visitors."
— Adriatic Ritual

Access the Full Report

The Destination Competitiveness Index 2026 includes the full ranking, detailed analysis, benchmarks and strategic recommendations.

DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT (PDF)
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