Croatia has taken a more liberal approach than other European nations to visitation this summer, framing itself as a safe country to visit even while welcoming Americans. The problem is that an influx of visitors may just be undermining that claim.
American Airlines is once again expanding its seasonal service to traditionally less-trafficked destinations in Europe where tourism growth is reaching new highs.
Long overshadowed by "Old Europe" for tourism, the Balkans are emerging as the center of "New Europe." But you better book now since the travelers' secret is out.
We've been talking about overtourism for a while now and it's good to see cities getting more creative when it comes to managing numbers. Visitors are going to keep coming to the likes of Barcelona, Dubrovnik, and Amsterdam, and therefore these places are going to have to get smarter about managing the flow of people, whether they already live there or not.
Marketing beaches in the winter is a difficult task, suggesting destinations looking to break out of seasonal stereotypes need on-the-ground product development to give visitors a real reason to reconsider a place besides off-season prices and a smart ad campaign.
Destinations like Croatia can fall into a niche for their reputation of beaches and sunsets. Successfully breaking out of the summer stereotype can significantly boost arrivals and spend throughout the year.
Serbia has plenty to offer, and for cheap, but few tourists realize it. If attendees of the Exit Festival continue to spread the word, that could change quickly.
EU membership comes with a lot of baggage these days, but in terms of tourism it could mean a win-win situation for both Croatia and its neighbor nations.