Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ZADAR, Croatia, May 18 (Xinhua) — The impact of new tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration since early April is already being felt in Croatia’s tourism sector.
Zadar is a popular tourist city on the Adriatic coast, known for its rich historical heritage. According to Milenko Mazutka, co-owner of a private hotel, Americans are canceling their reservations there.
“We had a lot of bookings for May and June from American tourist groups, but now 50 percent have been cancelled,” said M. Mazut, adding that as a result his business will lose at least 50,000 euros (56,000 US dollars) for the season.
In his opinion, these cancellations are a consequence of the weakening of the US dollar.
M. Mazut believes that the increase in tariffs by Washington and the retaliatory duties and countermeasures by the affected countries affected the dollar, provoking its sell-off on the market and a fall in the exchange rate.
“We are already feeling the effects of the introduction of American tariffs, because the value of the US dollar has fallen, and as a result, American tourists are canceling their holidays in Croatia,” noted M. Mazut.
According to media reports, the United States is the largest non-European source of tourism to Croatia. In 2024, more than 776,000 Americans visited the Balkan country, which is 9 percent more than the year before.
M. Mazut also stressed that he is most concerned about the widespread increase in prices for services in the tourism business caused by American tariffs.
“I’m afraid that goods for the hotel business will become more expensive, which will again be reflected in an increase in our prices,” he said.
The businessman predicted a 10-15 percent price increase, which would deal a serious blow to Croatia’s tourism sector, a key sector of the country’s economy. According to official data, it accounts for about one-fifth of the country’s GDP.
M. Mazut also came to the conclusion that the new US tariffs do not protect Americans, as D. Trump claimed, but rather harm them.
“Tariffs hurt everyone, including Americans,” he said, citing U.S. media reports that American consumers are bearing the brunt of Trump’s additional tariffs. –0–