Luxury camps in Zadar's Borik and in Šibenik report a good season, but guests are increasingly vocal about rising accommodation and food prices. In the camping sector, prices have risen up to 25 percent in the last five years.
Camps in the Zadar area are attracting loyal guests this season, especially from Germany, but there is growing concern over rising prices, which, according to some statistics, have increased up to 25 percent in the camping sector over the past five years. A team from HRT checked the situation on the ground and spoke with guests, camp managers, and the director of the Zadar County Tourist Board.
One of nine five-star camps in Croatia is located on Zadar's Borik and is experiencing no difficulties with occupancy this season. Ante Lacić, the manager of this camp, told HRT that the season is going even slightly better than last year.
"It hasn't fallen short; the season so far is actually a bit better than the previous one. We have five stars according to Croatian classification, and also according to the German ADAC, which independently rates Croatian camps, we also have five stars,"said Lacić. According to an analysis by the specialized portal of the German automobile club ADAC, Croatian camps are considered among the better and more popular, but also more expensive in Europe.
A German family has been staying at the Zadar camp for seven seasons, with their annual holiday lasting as long as five weeks. Guest Steffi from Germany praised the facilities but noted a change in prices. "In July because the children have school holidays in Germany. Every day is fun, we go swimming, yesterday we were at the Krka waterfalls. I think it's more expensive in Croatia now than last year," she told HRT. Another guest from Germany, Nikolaus, who started coming to the Zadar region as a child, specifically warned about rising food prices. "I love everything here. Most Germans think it's expensive in Croatia. A few years ago, we paid ten euros per liter for olive oil. Now we have to pay 25 to 30 euros per liter, and it's of worse quality," he said.
Despite good ratings and high occupancy in luxury camps, the overall statistics for camps in Zadar County in July show a slight decline compared to the same period last year. Vanja Čvrljak, director of the Zadar County Tourist Board, told HRT that camps are currently about 1.5 to 2 percent below last July. "They complain about prices in stores," he added as one reason for the weaker result. Camps in lower categories or those that do not offer premium services are more sensitive to price pressures and changing guest habits.
The days of cheap tent holidays are over. Marin Morić from Camping Resort Amadria in Šibenik emphasized that results are in line with expectations and slightly better than the previous year. He listed Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, and Slovenia as the main source markets. "Modern camps are increasingly investing in premium offerings; that's what guests want-a stay in nature, but without giving up comfort and luxury. You have to provide top-notch service, exceptional gastronomy, and most importantly, give them value for money," Morić told HRT. Camps today, according to his description, are modern open-air resorts targeting high-spending guests.
Camps account for about a fifth of total accommodation capacity in Croatia, making them an important segment of the tourism offering. The 2026 season in the Zadar area shows that the luxury segment is doing well, while the middle category feels the pressure of rising prices and more demanding guests. Whether the trend of rising prices in the camping sector will continue will also depend on the movement of fuel and food prices, which have already caused dissatisfaction among foreign guests this season.
