In this work, the concept of tourism is explained more closely and its significance for the Croatian economy is emphasized. It is explained what its products are and what its infrastructure is. The work issue is inadequate use of funding opportunities through European Structural and Investment Funds. These are funds which are available for use because of Croatia's accession to the European Union, and it is possible to finance tourism-related activities through them. Of course, all the public policies of the European Union and their funds are also mentioned, focusing on the relationship between tourism and cohesion policy. The goal of this work is to consider all the possibilities of using European Structural and Investment Funds for the needs of tourism development in the Republic of Croatia. All operational programs that are available are explained and between them is chosen to look closely at those who are most associated with tourism as an economic branch, while emphasis is placed on those priority axes from which the same can be financed. Furthermore, it was attempted to answer the question why there is insufficient funding utilization in Croatia. In the empirical analysis of the relationship between Cohesion policy and tourism, the operational programs of Competitiveness and Cohesion and Human Resources Efficiency are considered, because in this case they are largely related to the financing of tourism activities. Also, funding opportunities were presented, as well as examples of good practice. On the basis of everything known, in the final section were mentioned problem solving options. The ways in which resource utilization could increase are listed in that part. That would help for the development of tourism and to increase the competitiveness of the Croatian economy, and the European economy on a global scale.