Welcome to Croatia, the land where Czech tourists have been dubbed “paste-eaters”! Yes, you read that right. Forget warm welcomes and smiles – here, tourists who bring their own canned food are disparagingly called this because they don’t spend money in local restaurants. And that’s not all! Czechs are also called “beer-guzzlers” because they complain about beer prices on the Adriatic that have soared up to 6 euros a glass. Croatian restaurateurs are desperate and increasingly turning their backs on Czech guests, preferring Germans, Austrians, or Dutch tourists who supposedly leave more money and tips.
Ivica, a restaurant owner in Split, openly says most Czechs still bring canned food and don’t spend in restaurants, while his colleague Ante admits he earns twice less from Czechs than from other guests. “When they come, they just sit and ask a hundred questions, and we make it clear they are not welcome,” says Ante. And tips? Czech tourists often leave none or less than 10%, which is almost unheard of in Croatia.
The situation is so bad that Czech tourists are now publicly calling on Croatian restaurateurs to reconsider their pricing and approach, as food and drink prices on the Adriatic, especially beer, are higher than in Germany, France, or Denmark, according to them. Beer averages around 5 euros, and in some places up to 6 euros, which is unacceptable for Czech tourists.
This issue is not just a problem for tourists but also for Croatian restaurateurs who complain about inspection controls and fines that further complicate business. In some places, inspectors have closed venues, and owners are considering strikes in the middle of the season. Fines start at 900 euros, and some have already had to close their venues after hours-long inspections and fines exceeding 8,000 euros.
All this happens in the peak tourist season when everyone should be enjoying and earning. Instead, there is a clash between hosts and guests, where tourists are unhappy with prices and treatment, and restaurateurs are frustrated by bad behavior and low income from certain tourist groups.
If you thought Croatia was a paradise for tourists, think again. Here, a real battle is raging over money, beer, and paste! So, what do you think about the “paste-eaters” and “beer-guzzlers”? Whose side are you on? Drop a comment, maybe you have the solution to this Adriatic mess!
