The Tourism Development Management Council calls for reasonable pricing ahead of the tourist season

At the 5th session of the Council for the Management of Tourism Development, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković emphasized the competitiveness of prices and the quality of services as one of the most important issues ahead of the upcoming tourist season.

The Prime Minister said that tourism traffic has recorded very good results this year, despite global circumstances that are not in favor of tourism. Instability, he added, caused by conflicts and wars, primarily in the Middle East, is affecting economies and energy security.

More than 2,3 million arrivals and 6,5 million overnight stays have been achieved since the beginning of the year

He stated that since the beginning of the year, more than 2,3 million arrivals and 6,5 million overnight stays have been recorded, which is a growth of 3 percent in arrivals and 1,4 percent in overnight stays.

He added that the largest part of traffic still comes from the Adriatic part of the country, where we record 1,7 million arrivals and 5,2 million overnight stays, while the continental part of Croatia records a growth of 5 percent in arrivals and 3 percent in overnight stays, which, as he said, confirms that intelligent investments have been made in the development of continental tourism.

He also recalled that according to data from the Croatian National Bank, foreign tourist revenues in 2025 amounted to 15,3 billion euros, which is a growth of 2 percent.

He also said that previous Councils had also concluded that Croatian tourism, when it comes to large numbers, is more or less stabilizing.

This very fact, he added, requires us to consider in this format what we can do to continue to have growth in Croatian tourism, as well as dynamic tourist traffic, as it has been in this great expansion of the past ten years.  

The Prime Minister also said that this is the third Council where he is calling for a reasonable formation of prices ahead of the tourist season, which he assessed as one of the most important issues. He also said that in these circumstances the Government is intervening in the prices of oil derivatives because Croatia is largely an auto destination. This, he believes, will make travel easier for domestic tourists, of whom there are more and more, as well as for everyone passing through our country.

He added that airline ticket prices are rising globally, and the supply of kerosene is one of the main problems due to the crisis in the Persian Gulf and the inability of tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, he mentioned that, according to the latest report of the European Travel Commission and the conducted research, more than 60 percent of travel companies recorded a drop in demand of 20 percent. He added that under these circumstances there is a redirection of demand towards Europe and the Prime Minister sees this as an opportunity for Croatia, pointing out that we will attract tourists in the way other Mediterranean countries behave, which is the competitiveness of price and quality.

"The measures taken by the state in the past period have certainly benefited the tourism sector. In these circumstances, we want as many of our citizens as possible to experience the benefits of Croatian tourism. It is very important that everything we do together corresponds to the economic conditions in Croatia today."", he pointed out Plenkovic.

The Prime Minister also referred to data from the State Bureau of Statistics, according to which inflation in April grew by 5,8 percent on an annual basis, which, he said, was a consequence of rising energy prices. He warned representatives of the tourism sector that they must be careful that rising service prices do not contribute to rising inflation. 
 
At the same time, he emphasized, we are also recording certain encouraging trends, such as a decline in the prices of industrial products and a more moderate increase in food prices on an annual basis, assessing that, although this data is good, it cannot completely neutralize such a global shock. 
 
He asserted that inflationary pressures now exist in most EU member states and that this is not happening only in Croatia. Yesterday, he also discussed this with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, who returned earlier from Armenia precisely because of inflationary pressures.
 
In Croatia, we currently have one million and 735 employees.
 
He also pointed out that Croatia currently has 1 million 735 employees, the highest level ever, with a record low unemployment rate of around 4 percent, which he described as an important signal for a vibrant and dynamic labor market. He added that the tourist season is also an opportunity for those who are not working to find work.

The Prime Minister finally expressed hope that today's meeting will have a more concrete continuation in terms of smarter and better price formation compared to last year, which he considers good for the entire sector, but also for the growth of the Croatian economy.
 
Glavina: It is important that Croatia remains a safe destination

Expressing satisfaction with the good tourism results, the Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina In his speech, he emphasized that today, more than ever, it is necessary to invest in destination security.

He also highlighted strong investments in the promotion of Croatian destinations, as well as investments in a more balanced development of tourism.

Glavina also believes that price competitiveness will play a crucial role in this tourist year. "Croatian tourism has grown strongly, but today we are entering a phase in which the market clearly sets boundaries and in which such price increases are no longer sustainable.", he said.

He also pointed out that the perception of Croatia as a desirable, safe and quality tourist destination did not arise by chance, but is the result of years of work, investment and cooperation of all stakeholders.

He also said that tourism is a way of life in many parts of Croatia and that guests recognize our authenticity and keep coming back for it. It is up to us, he emphasized, to preserve, improve and responsibly manage this value, and the Government, for its part, has been doing this all this time.

"If we are coordinated, responsible and realistic, I believe that we will successfully complete this year and, more importantly, lay a good foundation for all the years to come.", said Minister Glavina. 

Photo/Source: Government of the Republic of Croatia