August the 3rd, 2025 – Opatija Mayor Fernando Kirigin has discussed the tourist season in the Kvarner town known for its dashing Austro-Hungarian glam.
As Index vijesti/news writes, Opatija Mayor Fernando Kirigin recently sat down and spoke with N1 about the tourist season so far in the town known as the first lady of Croatian tourism.
How is this year’s tourist season going in Opatija? Some mayors claim that it seems to them that there are about the same number of tourists as there were last year, but that they are spending less…
“The same thing can be said about Opatija. We’ve had slightly fewer tourists than we had back during the same period last year, minus about 2%. It’s clear however that non-boarding spending is lower than before, and that there are fewer people out on the streets. The structure of guests who come at this time of year see our prices as too high, and on the other hand, the markets are full of people shopping, while they spend less in restaurants and cafes,” Opatija Mayor Fernando Kirigin revealed when discussing the tourist season thus far.
Since Opatija is well known as a luxury destination visited by guests who are willing to pay more. Doesn’t the fact that they also prefer to go to shops instead of spending in restaurants and cafes ring alarm bells?
“I wouldn’t say so, no. We’ve had the same story for years because the structure of guests arriving in July and August is somewhat different from those who come in the pre-season and post-season, and what we have in the announcement for the post-season is quite optimistic. June was truly outstanding, and July and August are a kind of seasonal hole. Since Opatija is a year-round destination, it cumulatively records a plus in overnight stays and arrivals,” he said.
What are the prices like in Opatija? Some have continued to raise their prices, perhaps facing the fact that at some point they’ll find themselves in front of a wall and will have to slash them anyway…
“The price increase is in some way in line with annual inflation and costs. The workforce has reached almost European prices, and the catering and hospitality sector, with all these parafiscal levies, and VAT of 25%, can hardly arrange any other prices…”
There’s been a lot of talk about how domestic tourists are “fleeing” from Croatia to other destinations or intend to do so, because they believe that other destinations are cheaper. Apparently, even wealthy tourists from abroad are reacting similarly…
“Inflation has definitely taken its toll, as has Eurozone accession, which has contributed to the correction and rounding of prices. Since during this period a huge number of people are holidaying throughout Europe, they are certainly looking for destinations where they can get the most for their money. Whether we’re in that range, we will know on December the 31st,” concluded Opatija Mayor Fernando Kirigin on the tourist season so far.
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