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Balkan summer tourism surges despite fires, fuel surcharges and airport growth
Tourist demand across the Balkans and neighboring Mediterranean destinations remains strong in the 2026 summer season. Serbian travel agencies report that packages to Greece are sold out and the season has been extended into October, while cancellations due to the localized wildfires on Paros, Lesbos and southern Crete are reported as virtually nonexistent. Border‑crossing delays at the Evzonios checkpoint on the Greek‑Turkish frontier average about 41 minutes.
Airports in the region are handling record passenger volumes. Pula Airport in Croatia recorded 301,792 passengers from January through July, with the biggest increases from the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark and Serbia. Zadar Airport logged 970,749 passengers in the same period, a 6.88 % rise year‑on‑year. Croatia Airlines carried a record number of passengers but posted a net loss of €49.7 million for the first half of the year, citing higher costs, adverse exchange‑rate effects and fleet transition expenses.
Serbian travellers have complained about fuel‑surcharge add‑ons of up to €100 per person, prompting consumer‑rights groups to demand clearer documentation from airlines and travel agents. Safety experts warn that even in supervised beach areas, accidents can occur; professional diver Branislav Sadžaković advises using lifeguard‑supervised sites and wearing life‑jackets. A Serbian tourist recently died on Montenegro’s Mogren beach, underscoring the need for vigilance.
Overall, the tourism sector across Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and surrounding countries is experiencing robust growth, with airlines and airports expanding capacity to meet the surge in demand despite operational challenges and isolated safety incidents.
Entities
Branislav Sadžaković · Croatia · Croatia Airlines · Damir Novotny · Greece · Krka National Park · Ljubiša Nešovanović · Montenegro · Montenegro Tax Administration · Pula Airport · Serbia · Serbian tourists
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] No cancellations of travel arrangements have occurred because of the fires in Greece. biznis.kurir.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Professional diver Branislav Sadžaković advises using lifeguard‑supervised beaches and wearing life jackets. nova.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Serbian tourist died on the Mogren beach in Montenegro. nova.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Last‑minute travel offers provide discounts of 15‑20 % (up to 30 %) and are used when capacity remains unsold, especially for Turkey, Cyprus and Greek islands. www.danas.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wildfires this summer affected parts of Greece, including Paros, Lesbos and southern Crete, but were localized. biznis.kurir.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Border crossing delays at Evzonios were about 41 minutes. biznis.kurir.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Serbian travel agencies report a solid summer season with most packages to Greece sold out and the season extended into October. biznis.kurir.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A boy was rescued from the sea in Halkidiki, Greece, after drowning. nova.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Zadar Airport recorded 970,749 passengers Jan‑July 2026, a 6.88 % increase year‑on‑year. www.antenazadar.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Serbian travel agencies report a solid summer season with most packages to Greece sold out and the season extended to October. biznis.kurir.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Croatia Airlines posted a net loss of €49.7 million in the first half of 2026 despite a record number of passengers. avioradar.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pula Airport handled 301,792 passengers from January to July 2026, with the largest growth from the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark and Serbia. financije.hr