June 26, 2023 – With the arrival of summer, the main tourist season on the Adriatic began. Prices in Croatia are higher than last year, but there is no shortage of tourists. It may be expensive for Croats, but foreigners don’t seem to mind it as much.
However, in June, the Makarska Riviera recorded a 6 percent drop in both the number of tourists and overnight stays compared to last year, writes Poslovni / N1.
The beach in the center of Makarska was crowded, with a few free spots left in the shade.
But the beds in private accommodation remain empty – the pre-season was a complete failure, claims Anđelko Kujundžić, the president of the Makarska Association of Family Accommodation Renters.
“As for this year, I think the preseason was a miss. In my opinion, occupancy in private accommodation lacked about 30 percent,” he said.
The official figures confirm this. In the pre-season, Makarska recorded a drop of 25 percent in the arrival of foreign guests. The tourist board doesn’t admit that, though.
“It’s not like we failed, overall; in the first six months, we had more guests than we had for the entire last year. If days and weeks are taken individually, then, of course, it can be somewhere more, somewhere less. Still, overall we are in the positive”, said Jadran Puharić, director of the Makarska Tourist Board.
But the renters in Makarska are in the red. A night in an apartment costs 40 euros; during peak season it’s 55 euros. To that, the renters say – it’s not prices in Croatia, but the local black market.
“There are about 2,970 unregistered apartments in Makarska. Round that up to three, even if it’s two or two and a half beds each. That’s 8-9 thousand beds outside our association’s jurisdiction and generally not registered renters, ” says Kujundžić.
Are Prices in Croatia the Reason?
“We are only here for one day, but the accommodation is nice. Not sure if it is expensive. It is a bit, yes,” says Brat from England.
“It’s cheaper than in England, food-wise anyway. The apartment? It’s good, yes. It’s also cheap,” adds Phillip.
“No, the prices are fine because we come from Slovakia, and the prices are much higher there. Accommodation? I think it’s fine. We are staying at the Riviera Hotel and having a great time. The price is fine”, say Rada and Lusca from Slovakia.
The guests also look closely at the restaurant price lists – two chicken meals with fries cost around 25 euros. Regular coffee, depending on the location – from one euro and 15 cents to two at the beach. An hour of parking by the beach costs four euros. Moreover, a scoop of ice cream costs two euros – so it’s not surprising that guests do not find it expensive.
“Two euros, that’s very good. Average price,” adds Brat.
