The coronavirus outbreak drastically transformed travel patterns across the globe, and the Balkan nation was no exception. Prior to 2020, cannabis tourism in Croatia was a emerging but small segment, attracting visitors from regions with prohibitive cannabis policies. Many came for the country’s relatively relaxed enforcement of cannabis laws, particularly in coastal areas where private use and small-scale cultivation were tolerated. Tourists often combined beach holidays with cannabis experiences, visiting semi-legal cannabis outlets or participating in casual cannabis circles.

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, international travel came to a near standstill. Croatia closed its borders to most foreign visitors, and stay-at-home orders curbed mobility. Cannabis tourism, which relied heavily on foreign travelers, suffered a severe contraction. Dispensaries that depended on tourist revenue saw a dramatic drop in sales, and a number folded for good. Local operators who had developed weed-friendly lodgings or ran cannabis excursions lost their core market without warning.

The sudden lack map of where weed is legal visitors also affected the social and cultural aspects of cannabis tourism. Events like herb-focused learning sessions, mindfulness retreats featuring hemp extracts, and plant-centric eco-tours were shifted to virtual platforms. These activities had created meaningful connections among tourists and residents, and their loss left a void in the local cannabis culture.

In the years following the initial lockdowns, Croatia’s tourism industry gradually recovered, but cannabis tourism failed to regain momentum. Travelers remained cautious, and global attitudes grew more conservative toward cannabis, making international visitors less willing to travel to where cannabis was partially regulated. Additionally, Croatia’s government moved toward stricter oversight, with increased scrutiny on unlicensed dispensaries and a push to formalize medical cannabis laws, which inadvertently made the environment less welcoming.

Certain forward-thinking operators shifted focus by building a homegrown clientele and promoting non-psychoactive cannabis alternatives, the ambition to lead Europe’s cannabis travel scene was effectively paused. The pandemic exposed the fragility of tourism models built on gray-market operations. Looking ahead, any rebirth of cannabis travel will likely depend on clearer legislation, widespread awareness campaigns, and a more sustainable approach that balances tourism with responsible regulation.