Croatia is a popular holiday destination in Southeastern Europe. The country's tourism industry has been booming for years, with the Ministry of Tourism projecting a record in 2023.
Tourist tax against mass tourism
Despite being a major source of revenue, mass tourism causes significant problems for the government. The existing infrastructure cannot cope with the influx of tourists, waste disposal has become a pressing issue, and newly built holiday settlements outside the summer months remain largely unoccupied. The need for sustainable tourism is now more urgent than ever before.
The government is working on a comprehensive tourism law involving various measures, including imposing a tourist tax to address these issues. The revenue generated from tourist tax will be directed towards environmental conservation.
Tourist tax not before 2025
The tourist tax is currently planned to be implemented only in areas severely impacted by tourism's negative effects, such as coastal regions and islands. It is not expected to take effect until 2025.
Details of the tax are not yet known
The levy calculation method is still uncertain. Will the amount be based on the accommodation type and length of stay? Is it already included in the package tour price? Or is it a fee collected once upon arrival?
Travel to Croatia has been even easier since this year
Croatia's tourism industry has experienced a significant boom recently due to a few key factors. Firstly, the country joined the Schengen area at the beginning of this year, eliminating border controls and long tourist waiting times. Furthermore, adopting the euro as the official currency has also made traveling easier for visitors.
Drastic price increases
The Croatian government acknowledges that the new situation brought about by the euro's introduction likewise brings new challenges. One of the challenges has been increased lawsuits due to the significant price rise. A ministry spokesman stated that they know this situation. However, the price increase is not solely due to the currency changeover but also global inflation. The spokesperson also mentioned that the euro introduction has been used as an excuse for price increases. The authorities responsible for monitoring such "unfair practices" pledged to act against them.