Are tourism numbers down in Croatia while prices stay consistent?
June 25th, 2025 - The Disconnect: Croatian Prices and Tourist Numbers
Throughout the year, whispers have circulated that the increased prices in Croatia would deter tourists from visiting. The tourism industry, however, continues to thrive, leaving many to question the accuracy of such assumptions.
As Poslovni Dnevnik notes, some argue that Croatian prices should be the culprit for a comparison in the number of tourists in the first five months of the year. Surprisingly, prices remain steady, if not escalating in some areas. Despite the government's warnings about the consequences of such decisions, the tourist industry seems unfazed, convinced that tourists will still arrive.
Tourists visiting Croatia all too often have experienced sticker shock when spending money outside of their accommodation units. Maria, a Spanish visitor, shares her experience, "Last year, we paid 60 euros for a taxi ride from Pula to Rovinj, and now it cost us 120 euros."
Another traveler from Belgium laments, "Croatian food is expensive, but I paid 30 euros for a manicure here, and in Belgium, it would have cost me 60 euros." The complaints reach even the boating community, as Sara Douzzan Županović, head of the Group of Boat Accommodation Providers at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, observes, "They're spending more and more time on the boat for the entire week long stay, which isn't good for our boats or the batteries."
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Despite these grumbles, Anton Fariš, who works in the catering and hospitality sector in Rovinj, remains optimistic, "We've become 'Europe' and workers have become more expensive, just like elsewhere across Europe."
Thinking that tourists would continue to indulge in small pleasures, some businesses tinkered with their own pricing. A coffee with milk in a 5-star hotel in Zagreb can run around 3.5 euros, while the same item in Opatija can set you back 6 euros.
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The warning from the Croatian National Bank echoes through the industry — a steep 50% increase in prices and only a 15% increase in the purchasing power of visitors means that tourists are looking left and right for new destinations.
Economic analyst Mladen Vedriš drives the point home, "If all those tourists have to do is look left and right, and go somewhere else, then why wouldn't they? After all, Croatia isn't the only beautiful destination Europe has to offer."
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In the midst of growing concern, government officials and economic experts emphasize the importance of moderation. Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar urges, "I'd like to appeal to peoples' wisdom and reason so that we don't end up without tourists for a year due to price exaggerations in that sector."
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[1] Source[2] Source[3] Source[4] Source[5] Source
- The increased prices in Croatia have raised concerns about its impact on tourist numbers, but the tourism industry maintains its resilience, suggesting that tourists still value the lifestyle and travel experiences the country offers.
- With other Mediterranean destinations vying for tourists' attention, Antonio Fariš from the catering and hospitality sector in Rovinj notes that the price increases could drive tourists to reconsider their vacation choices, potentially affecting the sports, arts, and culture experiences unique to Croatia.
