Have you noticed that your restaurant bills and hotel stays have skyrocketed in recent months? You’re not alone! The State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Stipe Župan, has openly called on the hospitality sector to finally put a stop to the wild price hikes, as accommodation and food preparation services are the biggest culprits behind the rise in consumer prices in Croatia. In the third quarter of this year, prices in this sector jumped nearly 50% compared to the same period last year! Yes, you read that right – half again as much! While citizens are clutching their heads, Župan warns that consumer price index data will soon be published, clearly showing how much this sector has contributed to inflation.
But it’s not just Croatia facing this problem. Serbia is seeing similar trends. According to the Republic Statistical Office, in June this year, food in hospitality venues increased by 10.3%, while alcoholic beverages soared by a staggering 11.8%! Hotels and restaurants in Vojvodina recorded a price increase of 7.2%, which is less than the national average but still worrying. The smallest price increase was seen in overnight stays, but even a 1.6% rise is enough to pinch wallets.
What’s going on? Is this just inflation or are hospitality businesses cashing in on consumers? The State Secretary is clear: “I appeal to the hospitality sector to put the brakes on!” But will anyone listen? While statistics struggle to keep up with reality, people wonder – how much more will prices rise before someone finally puts a stop to this madness?
Meanwhile, debates about data transparency and the use of artificial intelligence in statistics rage on in Croatia and Serbia, while ordinary people watch their money slowly evaporate. Will the government manage to restore order and protect consumers, or will hospitality businesses continue to call the shots? One thing is certain – if nothing changes, soon we’ll all be eating only at home or on the street.
And you? How are you coping with these price hikes? Have you noticed your last restaurant bill was twice as high as a year ago? Or maybe you have your own recipe for surviving this inflation? Drop a comment, share your experience, or just say – who’s next in line for a price hike? Because if we don’t speak up, prices will keep jumping like crazy!
