While the numbers regarding arrivals and overnight stays on the Adriatic indicate that this season will be very good, we are all waiting for the first data on tourism earnings. The Association of Restaurateurs claims that this season, revenue in restaurants is 40 to 60 percent lower compared to last year.
They assert that guests are not spending in restaurants but in shopping centers. Empty tables, empty cash registers. Although Croatia has seen more tourists this season than last year, it seems that they have been avoiding restaurants. The gastronomic delights are evidently too expensive for most guests. However, restaurateurs say – we cannot offer cheaper prices while food and beverage suppliers are quietly raising prices, and the government imposes high levies. In the last two years, 3,000 establishments have closed, and 30,000 people have lost their jobs in hospitality. Many have gone into debt, and in the end, they are left empty-handed. Except for Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Umag, very few restaurateurs are satisfied. They are calling out the government. If our laws applicable to hospitality in Croatia were applied in Italy, France, and Greece, there would probably be 70% of establishments closed there, claims the president of the Association of Croatian Restaurateurs, Miroslav Folnegović. But whether this will be the case in the off-season remains to be seen. This is the first tourist weekend of the off-season. It seems to have started well. (www.hrt.hr)
