Croatia Coastal Towns See Over 10% Price Increases Amid Tourist Season

As the summer tourist season begins in Croatia, seaside towns are experiencing significant inflation in the prices of everyday essentials, particularly hygiene and household items, with increases exceeding 10 percent in some areas. Tribunj leads with a 10.38 percent rise, where toilet paper prices have jumped nearly 20 percent compared to the capital Zagreb, and similar spikes are seen in smaller coastal towns like Žminj and Zaostrog. Economists warn that if this trend continues, annual inflation could surpass 20 percent, disproportionately affecting coastal tourists and residents. Price monitoring apps tracking millions of products nationwide reveal a striking price disparity between mainland and coastal areas, with items such as nappies and toothpaste costing significantly more by the sea. Contrary to expectations, food prices have seen smaller increases compared to toiletries and cleaning products, which have become the main drivers of inflation in tourist destinations. This inflation trend highlights the economic pressures faced by both visitors and locals as Croatia's tourism season intensifies.