Zadar is full of tourists at the beginning of the season: Are their prices acceptable?

At the beginning of June, Zadar is one of the most sought-after domestic destinations. The rich cultural heritage, numerous events and the Mediterranean climate attract many domestic and foreign guests. An HRT team checked which tourists come to Zadar the most and whether their prices are acceptable?

Summer has begun in Zadar. Guests come from everywhere. Domagoj arrived from Slavonia.

“The sea organ, the sunset, everything is beautiful. I don't think it's expensive, the prices are the same as everywhere on the Adriatic,” said Domagoj from Ivankovo.

And while some rest their feet on the organ, and others breathe the sea air on the balcony with the best view, others check the state of the sea.

Emma and Josh are a young couple from Ireland and Germany.

“I like it, the sea and the weather, the incredible food, completely different from German. I think the prices are decent,” emphasized Emma from Germany.

According to Eurostat, prices in the catering and tourism industry in Croatia have increased by as much as 100 percent since 2019. Catering professionals, on the other hand, have a nervous breakdown when someone tells them that drinks or food in restaurants are expensive.

“We worked harder, but we made less income, but it didn't increase by 100 percent because we are at the market and we raise prices as we want. Our costs dictate our price calculations,” explained Robert Kovačević, president of the Catering Professionals' Guild in Zadar.

He claims that due to increased state supervision, their costs are also increasing. Between the state and service providers, there are always consumers, squeezed into a price squeeze. Those who can, go on vacation. Those who can't, go swimming in the tub.

Director of the Zadar Tourist Board for Croatian Television: The war has poured some of the guests into Croatia, booking is good

Despite the instability in the world, Zadar is recording an increase in arrivals and overnight stays. The director of the Zadar Tourist Board, Iva Bencun, speaking for Croatian Television news, said that expectations are positive and that the trend of good results continues.

“We are all looking at the peak season with optimism because the trend we have had for some time continues. Even before these war conflicts in the Middle East, we had very good announcements. Of course, there was concern about how the whole situation would affect us. However, the situation is stable. In conversations with hoteliers and renters, bookings are good, so we have reason to be optimistic,” said Bencun.

When asked whether the conflicts in the Middle East are affecting tourist movements to Croatia, Bencun confirmed that some guests have decided to go to other destinations.

“Some of them have certainly spilled over. However, we must also be aware that the situation in the Far Eastern markets has changed. We have a 50 percent drop from those markets due to airlines and connections. However, in the end, it all somehow balances out,” she emphasized.

"Croatia invests in quality"

A topic that is often raised this year ahead of the season is prices. When asked whether Croatia has become too expensive a tourist destination, the director of the Zadar Tourist Board believes that prices follow the quality of the offer.

“What Croatia has been continuously doing for years is investing in quality, in accommodation capacities, catering and employee education. I believe that the price that certain facilities achieve more than justifies the value that the guest receives,” she emphasized.

She also added that Zadar is especially lively this week thanks to numerous events and festivals that additionally attract visitors.

Source: HRT