# Balkan travel demand amid price hikes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-travel-demand-amid-price-hikes > Updated: 2026-08-03T05:19:33.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 2. In early August 2026, tourism across the Balkans and nearby Mediterranean destinations remained robust despite localized wildfires, fuel‑surcharge complaints, and record airport passenger volumes. Serbian travel agencies reported sold‑out packages to Greece and an extended season, while Croatian airports logged historic passenger numbers. Consumer‑rights groups highlighted high fuel‑surcharge add‑ons, and safety incidents, such as a tourist death on Montenegro’s beach, underscored lingering risks. The following day, transport operators in the wider region showed that higher travel costs did not dampen demand. In Slovakia, a 50 % increase in the annual highway toll sticker still yielded a record 2.9 million e‑stickers sold, driven by new mobile‑payment options. In Serbia, railway ticket prices rose about 10 % in July, yet sales increased, even as passengers complained about limited service improvements and ticket‑buying app issues. Together, the snapshots illustrate a pattern of strong travel demand persisting across air, road, and rail modes despite price increases and operational challenges. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Slovakia and Serbia see transport ticket sales rise despite price hikes Slovakia’s highway toll stickers saw a price jump to €90 but sales rose 10 % to 2.9 million, while Serbia’s railway tickets rose 10 % amid passenger complaints over app glitches and refund issues. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-and-serbia-see-transport-ticket-sales-rise-despite-price-hikes ### 2026-08-02: Balkan summer tourism surges despite fires, fuel surcharges and airport growth Balkan summer tourism is booming: Serbian agencies see sold‑out Greece packages, airports in Croatia record record passenger numbers, Croatia Airlines posts a €49.7 M loss, and fuel‑surcharge complaints rise, ​ 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/balkan-tourism-boom-serbian-trips-to-greece-rise-and-croatian-spending-reaches-record --- Cite as: Balkan travel demand amid price hikes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-travel-demand-amid-price-hikes