It seems that there is no longer any reason to lie to ourselves: this year's tourist season is not exactly what we expected, and the fact that the emperor is naked is already confirmed by the official data of the tourist boards. So far, it is not about any radical problems, but that the trend is changing, it is becoming clearer every day.
It is enough to look in your own backyard, in Kvarner, where 9,4 million overnight stays were realized in the first seven months, which is two percent less than last year. In the peak season, in July, 740 tourists stayed in this county and 5,1 million overnight stays were made, which is five percent less than last year. Luxury hotels are even registering a smaller growth, at least in this region, but that's why the numbers for three-star accommodation are falling - and sparrows on the branch it's clear that middle-class tourists are failing in the statistics. And the fact that this year compared to last year there were more guests from Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, and less from Germany, also speaks for itself.
A few things are completely clear: first, our main traditional guests, namely the Germans and Italians (at least when it comes to Kvarner), decided to spend cautiously this year. The German authorities recommended that their citizens prefer to spend money within their own country, and the fact that only 8 percent of Italians will vacation outside of Italy is the best proof of this caution. Recession is knocking on the door, similar to 2008, as evidenced by the drop in share prices of the largest companies in recent days, and the long-term crisis caused by the pandemic and wars is now beginning to take the form of a black cloud that hangs over the largest countries in Europe, including the USA. In such circumstances, the caution of tourists prevails.
Second, Croatia suddenly became a country with excess capacity, an overbuilt area in which anyone who had 50.000 euros "extra" went into the real estate business and built villas and swimming pools on a large scale. Those who care about Croatian tourism appeal to quality, so private accommodation made huge investments after the end of the pandemic and the influx of tourists, who were eager to travel after the lockdown. Here, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković is right when he says that the statistics show a trend of unfilled capacities, because the capacity is now much higher than five years ago. But who approved all that concreting remains unanswered. Big cities, whether Split and Rijeka by the sea, or Zagreb as a metropolis, relaxed their streets in the center because everything was given to renting, and it seemed that this golden cock will never disappear. However, there is simply not as much interest anymore as there are suddenly unused properties. Moreover, the Government announces a real estate tax and the activation of immobilized assets, because the state must also gain something from all this, and demography is becoming a particularly important issue that cannot be resolved by itself without proactive action by the state and affordable housing. Not only are those who feverishly built new capacities now empty, but they will also receive new levies. But that's logical when it comes to megalomania.
And thirdly, one word - prices. Shamefully, catastrophically high prices not only for accommodation, but also for catering and trade. There are no more places where two people can drink a regular coffee on the shore without having to take out at least 10 euros from their pockets. You can't eat famous ice cream or cake without 20 euros, a burger or pizza for two without 50 euros, and an average restaurant meal with a glass of wine without 100 euros. At the same time, they will chase you after 23 p.m., unless you are in an exclusive Carpe Diem type bar, where you will pay more for a cocktail than in Paris or Ibiza, 20 euros each. Nervous waiters tidy up pillows and dishes while you're still sitting at the table, and at the same time expect a tip of at least five euros, or preferably ten, as soon as they say "Hello" in bad English. Nothing is better in the store either - you don't approach without 20 euros, without 50 you don't have a normal lunch, and without 100 euros you don't even think of going "to get groceries".
The tragedy of unreasonably high prices will cost Croatian tourism this year - and rightly so. Tourists are not idiots and will not spend their money on an inadequate and expensive offer.
Prices in Croatia, which are higher than in Belgium or even America, without talking about Germany and especially Italy, will chase everyone away. If in Greece you get all that for half the money, then you go to Greece. End of story.
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