Richard Fielding, a travel agent from New Zealand who has made more than 45 trips to Croatia since 1993 and also holds Croatian citizenship, has raised concerns over the country’s growing costs for tourists.
Currently on his 38th trip, Fielding described the situation as “alarming,” particularly when it comes to restaurant meals and accommodation. He noted that eating out in Croatia is now “double the cost” of much of Asia, especially for seafood, meat, and drinks.
“Over the last five or six nights, while observing around 50 tables, the wide majority of people were drinking only soft drinks and water,” Felding wrote, suggesting that many visitors are already moderating their spending habits due to higher prices.
He added that entrées are now around 50% more expensive than in many other tourism destinations worldwide. For three decades, Croatia was consistently cheaper than New Zealand, but Fielding argues this is no longer the case, especially for meals and accommodation.
He also warned that the effects of these increases will become more visible in 2027 and 2028, raising the question of whether unsustainable pricing and “greed” are starting to threaten the long-term future of Croatian tourism.