July the 9th, 2026 – Croatian tourism minister Tonči Glavina has stated that tourists now have less spending power and that Croatia’s competition is hotting up. Is it finally time to cut the ridiculous prices before it’s too late?
Croatia’s Tourism and Sport Minister Tonči Glavina has acknowledged that visitors are spending less than in previous years, saying weaker purchasing power and growing competition are reshaping the country’s tourism season. In an interview conducted on HRT, Glavina said he’s of the belief that the country’s tourism sector remains stable despite a generally weaker June, with strong results expected over the course of the year.
June slowdown follows previous record years
According to the minister, Croatia welcomed around 3.1 million tourists in June, down 7% compared with the same month last year. Index reports that overnight stays also fell by 6% to 15.4 million. Glavina stressed that the figures should be viewed in the context of several consecutive record tourism seasons and changing travel patterns across Europe. He said July had started positively and expressed confidence that the overall season could still match or come close to last year’s performance.
The purchasing power of people visiting croatia is falling
Addressing concerns over visitor spending, Glavina said travellers have become more cautious with their budgets. “The purchasing power of people visiting Croatia is falling,” he said, adding that tourists are increasingly looking for value for money when choosing their destinations. He noted that Croatia now faces much stronger competition from other Mediterranean countries, many of which have adjusted prices to attract visitors. The Croatian tourism minister repeated his earlier calls for businesses to price their services sensibly, arguing that competitiveness is becoming just as important to tourists when opting for a place to go.
New hospitality law to target illegal rentals
Glavina also discussed the government’s proposed new Hospitality Act, which aims to strengthen the general oversight of Croatia’s accommodation sector. Under the planned changes, online booking platforms would only be allowed to advertise legally registered accommodation, with each property assigned a unique identification number that authorities could use to verify listings and tackle illegal rentals and the bustling grey market.
croatia’s new football coach is welcomed
The minister also commented on the appointment of Croatia’s new national football team coach, expressing confidence in the Croatian Football Federation’s decision and wishing the new manager success in the role. While tourism naturally dominated the interview, Glavina said sport remains an exceptionally important part of Croatia’s international image and national identity on the global stage.
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