by croatiaweek
July 22, 2025
in
Hvar
The Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ), Kristjan Staničić, has called on the hospitality sector to exercise caution when setting prices.
Speaking on HRT’s Dnevnik, Staničić stressed that although Croatia remains competitively priced, it is now on the edge.
At a recent session of the Tourism Development Council, the HTZ director once again appealed to the tourism sector to form prices with care and consideration.
“Pricing is clearly a focus of public and media interest. We emphasised today that price-setting must be smart. It is important that we remain competitive compared to other Mediterranean destinations,” said Staničić.
He pointed out that tourism is a long-term industry and warned against price hikes that could drive visitors away. “Tourists will return year after year, but only if we are careful. We cannot afford to make mistakes through excessive price increases,” he said.
Commenting on pricing across Mediterranean destinations, Staničić explained that it is essential to separate accommodation and hospitality services when comparing prices.
“In broad terms, Croatia remains within a competitive price range. However, based on data from Eurostat and other institutions, we are now on the edge of that competitiveness,” he noted.
Hotels and campsites in Croatia are more affordable than in tourist source countries like Austria and Germany. However, Croatia is more expensive than Greece, Spain and Italy in this area.
Private accommodation, on the other hand, is slightly more expensive than in Italy and France, but more affordable than in Greece and Spain.
“We are still within limits, but just barely. That is why we keep stressing the need to be smart and wise when it comes to pricing,” Staničić added.
Positive Tourist Trends, but Price Remains Key
Staničić highlighted that Croatia continues to perform well across key tourism markets. “From all major markets – Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Poland, the United States, and the domestic market – we are seeing growth. This confirms that Croatia remains an attractive destination,” he said.
He also noted the importance of having a diverse spread of visitors across many countries, which strengthens Croatia’s position.
However, he warned that despite the rising importance of safety in travel, price remains the decisive factor for many tourists.