If you find yourself stuck in traffic this weekend, this is probably why.
It is estimated that some 110,000 Croatians will head to European ski resorts during the weekend, where they will enjoy themselves for the next week, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on January 6, 2018.
From November 2017 to March 2018, the number could reach a total of 220,000 Croatian skiers for this particular ski season.
According to the information provided by online booking and reservation portals and the most frequently used travel agencies, it is estimated that 10 percent more Croatian citizens will enjoy the snow this year than last year, and for this reason, Austrian, Italian and Slovenian tourist revenues will increase by about half a billion kuna - precisely how much Croatians will spend on skiing.
This year's "Croatian Week" at ski resorts in Europe comes at a lower price than previous years, thanks to the school holidays which last until January 15th which enabled our fellow citizens to get cheaper arrangements than those in the peak-season holiday days.
“The most popular ski resorts in Italy and Austria are the most popular skiing schools with licensed skiing teachers in the Croatian language. The same goes for our clients from Split and Dalmatia, which dominate Austria, while larger societies often choose Slovenia, especially for shorter stays. This season, we stopped the trend of positioning France as a low-budget ski destination for Croatian skiers, and we offered the best of this top ski and gastronomic destination, which the market has already recognized. There is not much of a last-minute offer, and skiing is a product that is often overlooked during the summer. It is interesting that when we offer some last-minute offer, we sell it within ten minutes. We still manage to find great deals for those who decide at the last moment,” says Nikolina Frklić from travel agency "Atlas".
According to all the information available, the snow and weather conditions at ski resorts are good, just as well as the occupancy. The average cost of accommodation is about 3,000 kuna, and an apartment can be found for around 1,000 per person, but the biggest demand for hotels, say the agencies. The prices depend on the destination, the term and the accommodation unit. The Croatian ski week falls in the lower season, and the week after January 15th is still more affordable for skiers who are not tied to school holidays.
“Our clients prefer to be located close to the ski resort, preferring hotels, and if more families like to be located as close as possible, they mostly ask for a half-board service, in non-catering apartments. For those who can’t hit the snow now, it is comforting to know that the ski season runs practically until spring and there is still plenty of time for those who are unable to ski this winter,” Atlas concluded.
Translated from Slobodna Dalmacija
