Tourist demand falls in Croatia and Czech Republic as prices rise

Croatia is seeing a weaker start to its summer tourism season, with many visitors cancelling or reducing bookings in popular areas such as Split. The tourism association attributes the slowdown to higher prices after the country adopted the euro, a local inflation rate of about 4.2% versus the euro‑area average of 2.8%, and the ease with which travelers can now compare costs across the region. Studies suggest that expectations of price hikes have become self‑fulfilling, prompting accommodation providers to raise rates, which in turn deters tourists and forces some operators to offer discounts.

In the Czech Republic, domestic holiday demand has also weakened. A survey for Ergo travel insurance found that 40% of Czechs still plan to travel abroad, while interest in local resorts, camps and hotels has declined because of price sensitivity, weather concerns and a preference for watching major events at home. Hotel and campsite operators report low occupancy, shorter stays and a shift toward weekend visits rather than week‑long trips. Both markets face pressure to balance pricing with competitive offerings to attract visitors for the remainder of the season.