Istria sees surge in last-minute holiday bookings as 80% of capacity sold late
Around 250,000 visitors are currently staying in Istria at the peak of the summer season, but this year’s tourism picture is being marked by a significant rise in last-minute bookings across accommodation categories.
While campsites and hotels are close to full, a number of private apartments are still available, with travellers increasingly waiting until just days before arrival to make their choice.
Lorena John, president of the Istria Family Accommodation Association, toldHRT guests were booking properties only a few days before their planned arrival, with price emerging as a key factor. She said private accommodation providers needed to adapt by offering greater flexibility and, where appropriate, discounts and shorter minimum stays.
The scale of the change is particularly notable. Boris Žgomba, president of the Croatian Chamber of Economy’s Association of Travel Agencies, said that in previous years last-minute bookings generally accounted for around 20% of the remaining accommodation capacity.
“This year, however, the situation is reversed,” he said, noting that around 80% of capacity is being sold at the last minute.
The trend reflects the large amount of accommodation available, allowing visitors to compare properties and look for what they consider the best combination of price and quality.
The timing varies between accommodation types. Apartments can be booked on the same day, while holiday homes are generally booked further in advance. For some agencies, however, even bookings made 15 to 20 days ahead are now considered last minute, compared with the six months or even a year or more that was once common.
Tourism professionals say successful private accommodation increasingly requires active management, ongoing improvements and attention to guests’ expectations, rather than being treated as a side activity.
Source: www.croatiaweek.com
