As we enter 2024, vacationing on the Adriatic coast is becoming increasingly expensive, raising the question of whether residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), with average incomes, can afford holidays in popular destinations like Croatia.
According to new information, prices of food and drinks on the Adriatic coast have reached new highs, leading to vacations in these destinations being increasingly perceived as a luxury.
For example, the price of a refreshing coffee on the beach now reaches up to 4 euros, while prices of domestic beer range from 4 to 7 euros.
Dining out in a restaurant or indulging in famous delicacies like fresh calamari now requires a significantly higher budget, with prices that were once unthinkable becoming the new standard.
These price increases have deeper implications for the tourism industry of the Adriatic coast. Families like the Marinovic from Makarska, who have been renting apartments to tourists for years, notice changes in the composition of guests. While guests from BiH once dominated, today it is more often tourists from countries like Hungary, Italy, and the Czech Republic, who can afford more expensive vacations.
Given the high prices, many residents of BiH are seeking alternative destinations for their annual
vacations. Cities like Neum and various excursion sites in Herzegovina are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability.
Additionally, destinations like Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania stand out as significantly more affordable options than Croatia, while Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus offer alternatives with better hotel packages.
Despite these changes, tourism in Croatia is expected to continue to grow, although demand may shift towards other destinations.
With prices rising by as much as 30 percent last year, and demand remaining at the same level, it becomes clear that vacationing on the Adriatic coast is increasingly perceived as a privilege for those with higher financial means.
