A last minute Eurostar strike has ruined Christmas travel plans for Brits with tickets booked this afternoon.
06.12.2023 - 04:34 / skift.com / Lake Como / Srividya Kalyanaraman
While minding my business on the internet recently, I came across this article that claimed Croatia has set tourism records and this summer is set to break all-time highs. The article in the Dubrovnik Times said by June Croatia had received 6.7 million arrivals and over 27 million nightly stays.
Having spoken to sources in European hospitality, right off the bat I knew there was something dubious about these numbers. So I reached out to Saša Bosanac, who runs Vacation Rental Management Days and is involved in the vacation rental industry within Europe.
“This is an inside joke that Croatian tourism numbers are like the iPhone,” Bosanac said. “Every year we have the best year ever. I don’t know how we do it.”
His sarcasm is lost only on those who aren’t clued into the Croatian market.
“We have noticed as much as a 15% drop in bookings,” Bosanac added. “But at the same time prices have gone up enormously.” He added that in the past two-three years, Croatia has seen a 20 percent increase in prices.
While inflation is an easy culprit, Bosanac added that some of it is not comprehensible because the properties haven’t seen any change in terms of amenities or occupancy. He also added that statistics provided by Eurostat and other agencies don’t tell the complete story or tell a different one.
“Sure tourists are still arriving, but a lot of them are buying food at supermarkets instead of eating at restaurants. There is far more availability at accommodations this year, and tourists are paying dearly.” He added that in some parts of the country prices are comparable to destinations like Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, which are known to be expensive vacation destinations.
So why is this happening? Bosanac has a couple of theories:
One is that when the country switched to the euro last year, a lot of businesses silently raised prices and the vacation rental industry was one of them. “A lot of them did it because their neighbor did it. No other reason or justification.”
The other reason is that Croatia simply got more popular, and now it’s working against it. Bosanac noted that in the 70s and 80s, Croatia was a destination for those looking for a quiet summer by the coast. “People drove over with their families and enjoyed family vacations by the beach. Today, there are so many construction sites all over the country and it’s becoming less appealing. Locals don’t like it, but the investors will find their way.”
“Albania is today what Croatia was 40-50 years ago.”
(Related read: Albania Isn’t A Hidden Gem Anymore, Its Short-Term Rental Market is Proof)
Tampa, Florida-based short-term rental management company Home Team Vacation Rentals acquired Sand Key Vacation Rentals, a 115-unit vacation
A last minute Eurostar strike has ruined Christmas travel plans for Brits with tickets booked this afternoon.
Anyone looking for the best train trips in Europe to rival flying was given a boost by the reopening of the Paris-Berlin night train this month. Likewise, it's good news for travelers passing under the English Channel, as many new train startups are throwing their hat in the ring to operate this route.
Looking for the perfect holiday escape? Consider Croatia. The country offers an impressive range of winter festivities that are perfect for kids and adults alike. Here are five great cities that put on an amazing show for the holidays.
Gorgeous Dubrovnik bundles UNESCO-listed heritage with verdant nature, a stunning coastline with fascinating villages, an enthralling history with Game of Thrones-oriented pop culture and a plethora of options with a laidback vibe.
Last month’s announcement that the government will scrap phase two of the HS2 rail project, set to run from the West Midlands to Manchester, felt like another nail in the coffin for Britain’s beleaguered train network. Conceived in 2009, the HS2 main line was set to cut journey times between the north and south and create more seat space on the network, encouraging travellers to prioritise lower-carbon rail travel over cars and flights.
Pickpocketing is rife on the London Underground, new statistics have revealed.
Megatrends, our annual forecast of the top travel industry trends, is back for another highly-anticipated program in New York City, London, and online next month.
The Norse Atlantic Airways inaugural flight from London Gatwick arrived on 1st December 2023 into Montego Bay with hundreds of excited holidaymakers on board. The much-anticipated flight was given an auspicious welcome amidst a press fanfare at the Sangster International Airport. The arrival of the historic flight introduced the beginning of a new chapter in travel between the United Kingdom and Jamaica. The occasion reflects the commitment of both nations to foster mutual growth in the tourism industry, creating boundless opportunities for both Jamaican and British travellers alike.
Think of a Wes Anderson film and the muted greys and browns of a rain-soaked day in London are not the first things that spring to mind. But the UK capital is about to host the first European exhibition of photographs inspired by the vibrant aesthetic of the American film director.
First-time visitors to Croatia are often startled by the striking turquoise hue of its sea and see-straight-to-the-bottom waters.
For fans of Christmas festivities, London has some of the best activities and events in the world. The iconic landmarks and streets are lit up with dazzling displays, there’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, traditional Christmas markets offering unique gifts and seasonal treats and ice skating at beautiful venues like historic Somerset House. Here are a few suggestions if you’re visiting London this month.
If you’re looking for culture, activities, wildlife or sheer adventure, Indonesia is one of the richest countries in the world. With an estimated 13,466 islands, it's a whopper too. But Indonesia beyond Bali and Lombok (and the Gili Islands) remains largely unknown to many travelers. To pick just one example, Sumatra (80 times the size of Bali) is almost a world in itself. And yet people ask the question: “Is Indonesia worth visiting?”