In Croatia, five kilograms of coffee are consumed per person annually, placing the country among the biggest coffee lovers in Europe. On average, we drink two cups a day. The trade war has led to a drop in coffee prices, so many might assume that a cup of coffee will soon cost less—but it’s not that simple, reports HRT. 

More than 30 exhibitors gathered in one place at the Coffee Festival in Zagreb’s Lauba. A touch of exotic flair was brought by partner countries Morocco and Qatar.

But the question arises: due to global market events, is coffee becoming a luxury not everyone will be able to afford?

"Some coffees we used to buy regularly—Brazilian coffees—have increased in price by 300% over the past year. Prices have never been this high in history," said Petar Ševič, a Slovenian expert in specialty coffee.

Gas prices in Europe sharply decline

Uncertainty in the market has been caused by three factors: a trade war, inflation, and a 30% decrease in Brazil’s coffee harvest, which is one of the world's largest producers.

"Everyone is struggling to source raw materials. At the moment, that’s the biggest issue for coffee roasting companies. The price of a cup of coffee in a café ultimately depends on it. Roasters have to raise prices every month. There is such a shortage of green coffee," said Carlo Rodrigo, representative of Fiorenzato.

Not just coffee—machines and grinders are more expensive too

Over the past five years, due to various geopolitical factors, the prices of coffee grinders and espresso machines have significantly increased.

"We’ve raised our prices by between 18 and 21 percent. That was the minimum needed to maintain stable operations with some profit," highlighted Marco Butti, director of BFC.

For coffee lovers, the outlook isn’t promising, as not even the end of inflation or the trade war can solve the problem of poor harvests.

"If raw coffee prices keep rising, we’ll all have to raise our prices—and in the end, the final consumer who drinks coffee will pay. I think there will be fewer people in coffee shops and more and more drinking coffee at home," added Ševič.

At this rate, Croatia’s average of two cups of coffee a day could soon become a thing of the past.

The UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF, the world’s first and only all-electric raceboat Championship, has announced Dubrovnik, Croatia, as an exciting new race destination for 2025.

The E1 Dubrovnik GP 2025, presented by Adriatic Luxury Hotels, will see this cutting-edge championship visit the historic Adriatic city from June 13 to 14, joining other prestigious coastal locations such as Jeddah, Monaco, and Miami as part of the global, innovative electric racing series.

UIM E1 is the only international electric-powered powerboat race, and the first race, the E1 Jeddah GP, was held in February 2023 in Saudi Arabia, featuring 9 teams with 18 drivers. Team Brady claimed the victory. The 2025 season started in Doha, where a new team led by LeBron James made its debut, and now continues in Dubrovnik, followed by races in Lago Maggiore, Monaco, Lagos, and Miami.

Each E1 team competes with one male and one female pilot. Beyond the racing, teams actively engage with local communities to promote efforts to regenerate the world’s oceans and aquatic ecosystems.

The race weekend will include testing, free practice, and qualifications on June 13, followed by play-off races, elimination rounds, and the final on June 14.

Spectators will be able to watch the race from Dubrovnik’s ancient city walls, as the track will be located between the Old City and Lokrum Island.

As Dubrovnik prepares to welcome the world’s top electric racing teams in June, the countdown to one of the most spectacular events of the 2025 E1 season has officially begun.

The event spans two days. The first is dedicated to testing, practice sessions, and qualifying heats, while the second features the semi-finals, playoff race, elimination round, and grand final. Each race consists of four laps plus one joker lap, which can be used at any time. The racecourse is marked by electronic, anchorless buoys, designed to reduce environmental impact and protect marine ecosystems.

LeBron James, Will Smith, Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Didier Drogba... are sending their teams to Dubrovnik!

The RaceBird is a fully electric hydrofoil vessel, 7.5 meters long, equipped with aluminum hydrofoils that lift it above the water at 17 knots. Powered by a 150 kW electric motor and a 35 kWh battery, it reaches speeds up to 50 knots (93 km/h). Each boat is piloted by one racer in a cockpit inspired by Formula 1 design.

Currently, all teams use identical RaceBird boats, produced by Victory Marine, with electric drivetrains by Mercury Racing and batteries from Kreisel Electric. However, the future goal is for each team to develop its own vessel design. The excitement of this new form of racing has inspired stars like Tom Brady, Will Smith, Virat Kohli, and Rafael Nadal to form teams. Each team features one male and one female pilot, as per Championship rules.

The Dubrovnik event kicks off with the Elafiti Slalom, a showcase race held in front of the iconic city walls, with spectators including Janica Kostelić and Damir Martin, who watched from the water.

Tonči Glavina, Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sport, stated:

“We are delighted that Croatia will host yet another major and exciting sporting event—one that not only has a strong sports and promotional tourism component but also focuses on sustainability and ocean preservation. Over the past eight years, the Croatian Government has supported nearly 190 major international sporting events, with a total value exceeding 60 million euros. This has positioned our country as an excellent host of global sports events.”

“The E1 Dubrovnik GP 2025, presented by Adriatic Luxury Hotels, is among these prestigious events, placing Dubrovnik alongside Doha, Monaco, Miami, and other world-class destinations. I am confident this electric powerboat race will significantly contribute to the promotion and visibility of both Dubrovnik and Croatia, strengthening our position as a premier tourism and sports destination.”

Davor Luksic, Chairman of the Board at Adriatic Luxury Hotels, added:

“We’re extremely proud to have Adriatic Luxury Hotels as the presenting partner for the E1 race in Dubrovnik on June 13 to 14, 2025. The E1 Series is the world’s first all-electric race boat championship—an exciting blend of sport, innovation, and sustainability.”

“For us, this partnership is about more than just racing. It’s a reflection of our long-term commitment to sustainability, innovation, and to promoting Dubrovnik as a destination for world-class events and experiences. Hosting the E1 race is a chance to showcase not only the beauty of our city but also our enthusiasm to support forward-thinking global events that align with our core values.”

The journey began in 2020, as a vision by Rodi Basso, a former Formula 1 engineer and McLaren Applied’s business director, along with Alejandro Agag, the founder of Formula E and Extreme E. The RaceBird was designed by Sophi Horne, known for developing eco-conscious electric leisure boats.

The UIM E1 Championship was officially launched at the Monaco Yacht Club on September 25, 2020, and the first RaceBird was unveiled in June 2021. In April 2022, the first sea trial took place on the Po River in Italy with former Formula Offshore champion Luca Ferrari. Later that year, Sam Coleman piloted the RaceBird in a public race in Rotterdam during World Port Day. In September 2023, four RaceBirds raced head-to-head for the first time, driven by Coleman, Leve Millere-Hagin, Gianluca Carli, and Oban Duncan, who took the win.

A unique trail race, ZAVRATNICA TRAIL 2025, was successfully held yesterday, organized by the Velebit Nature Park Public Institution. Runners of all ages enjoyed the challenging yet beautiful 6-kilometre course that winds through the spectacular Zavratnica Bay – one of the Adriatic’s most stunning gems.

The race unfolded in an excellent atmosphere with perfect weather conditions. An additional incentive for visitors was free entry into Zavratnica Bay after 1 PM, which many used to take a stroll and enjoy the seaside nature.

Participants especially praised the well-maintained trail, the breathtaking viewpoint, and the overall experience of being immersed in nature.

Race Results:

• Men’s Category:
  1st place – Marin Mandekić
  2nd place – Dominik Oblak
  3rd place – Matija Ločarić

• Women’s Category:
  1st place – Maja Urban
  2nd place – Ana Marija Grgurić
  3rd place – Sara Pavlak

• Boys’ Children’s Category:
  1st place – Milan Mišić
  2nd place – Ivan Mišić
  3rd place – Leo Butorac

• Girls’ Children’s Category:
  1st place (tie) – Mirna Pražić & Dunja Vrkljan, both with a time of 51:52
  2nd place – Lorena Aleksić
  3rd place – Marta Bićan

A charming moment of the day was the prize for the final finisher. Among the adults, this honour went to Željko Kereta, while in the children’s race, the joyful Melita Pražić claimed the spot, winning the hearts of everyone present.

Mario Šaban, Director of Velebit Nature Park, took the opportunity to thank all participants and stated:

“ZAVRATNICA TRAIL was organized to mark the completion of the trail restoration through Zavratnica Bay, into which we invested over €400,000 last year. The trail is now fully restored and ready for events like this. Alongside the race, we also hosted an educational exhibition to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the sea and nature – our message is clear: waste does not belong in the sea or in protected natural areas. With this race, we are promoting not only Zavratnica as a destination but also the importance of sustainable natural heritage management.”

Velebit Nature Park also extends thanks to its sponsors: the Senj Tourist Board, the Karlobag Municipality Tourist Board, Tušak Bakery, Hotel Kul IN Ablana, and the Sveti Rok Water Bottling Plant.

ZAVRATNICA TRAIL has once again proven its potential to become a traditional event that combines recreation with the promotion of active tourism.

Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the U.S. economy, and it is now facing serious challenges due to President Donald Trump’s policies. His decision to impose high tariffs on imports from key trade partners such as China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union has sparked negative reactions across the globe. The situation wasn't helped by his decision to delay the implementation of tariffs for 90 days for all but China.

In addition to economic consequences, these measures are leading to an increasingly visible boycott of travel to the U.S., which could have far-reaching consequences for the tourism sector, reports Slobodna Dalmacija. 

Trips Are Being Cancelled

According to reports from European travel agencies, more and more Europeans are choosing to cancel their planned visits to the U.S. The reasons include not only the high tariffs that increase the cost of goods and services, but also Trump’s controversial foreign policy and rhetoric, which many find off-putting. Danish tourist Kennet Brask, who used to enjoy fishing in Florida, said he will no longer visit the U.S. while Trump is in power, and many others from Germany, France, and Italy share similar views, reports The Independent.

In addition to political reasons, some tourists are opting for alternative destinations as a form of protest. Canada, which has also been targeted by Trump’s tariffs (and which he jokingly suggested annexing as the 51st U.S. state), is seeing a surge in interest among European travelers. According to data from the German agency America Unlimited, many Germans are now choosing Canada as an alternative destination.

Tourism Sector Under Pressure

The U.S. is the third most-visited country in the world, with 72.3 million tourists in 2024 and tourism revenues of $194 billion. However, projections suggest that the number of international arrivals will drop by 5.1% in 2025, while foreign tourist spending could decrease by as much as 10.9%, representing a loss of $18 billion in this year alone. The total estimated loss for the tourism sector is a staggering $64 billion.

The reasons behind this decline are not only political. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar and rising prices due to tariffs are making the U.S. a more expensive destination for foreign visitors. Moreover, the country’s negative image due to Trump’s measures is further deterring potential tourists.

The decline in tourist numbers isn’t just affecting major cities like New York or Los Angeles; smaller communities that depend on tourism income are suffering as well. Hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and transport providers are already reporting a drop in bookings. Small businesses, which are vital to local economies, are facing rising costs due to import tariffs and declining demand.

Croatian pensioners, for a number of reasons, receive very low pensions, especially compared to Western European retirees. For example, in Austria, the average net old-age pension is around €1,700, which is significantly more than even the average net salary in Croatia.

Citizens of the European Union share a common market and set of rules, but the differences in average pension amounts among member states are vast. Although the Croatian pension system has been ranked among the top 20 in the world, the amounts received by pensioners are far from sufficient for a normal life and are significantly lower compared to most EU countries, writes Mirovina.hr.

Average Old-Age Pension in Austria Around €1,700

According to official data from national pension institutions, the average net old-age pension in Croatia is €631. In neighbouring Slovenia, the amount is significantly higher, at €959. Italian pensioners receive around €1,100, while Austria leads with an amount of approximately €1,700 — considerably more than, for example, the average net salary in Croatia, which in January this year stood at €1,392. In Germany, the average net old-age pension is around €1,300.

In Croatia, the average old-age pension represents only about 45% of the average salary, and that percentage used to be even lower, as previously reported. This is a result of low wages during working life and relatively short working careers, often interrupted by unemployment or informal work, reports N1. 

Italian, Austrian and German Systems in Comparison

Although Italian retirees receive more than those in Croatia and Slovenia, the country faces similar issues to other European nations, such as demographic aging and high public debt — factors that could threaten the long-term stability of its pension system. Austrian retirees benefit from one of the most generous pension systems in Europe. Their high pensions result from relatively high contributions and a long working career — up to 45 years. In Austria, 22.8% of gross wages go towards pension insurance. Also, most Austrian pensions are not additionally taxed, increasing the actual amount pensioners receive.

How to Fix the Croatian Pension System?

Germany, long seen as Europe’s economic powerhouse, has lower average net old-age pensions than Austria — around €1,300. The German system is increasingly shifting toward private savings. The net pension amount also heavily depends on tax burdens and the individual's total income.

The comparison shows that pensioners in wealthier countries receive much more, enabling them to maintain a higher standard of living. Although differences in the cost of living partly offset the real gap in purchasing power, they do not eliminate it entirely. Croatian pensioners remain among the most socially vulnerable in the EU when comparing the ratio of pension income to living costs.

These figures clearly indicate the need for deep reform of Croatia's pension system, as well as the creation of conditions for better wages and working environments, so that future generations have a better chance at a dignified old age. However, opinions on how to reform the pension system are divided. Some advocate strengthening private savings through the second and third pillars, while others argue that the second pillar should be abolished and the system reverted to its pre-reform state from about 20 years ago.

Music lovers in Dubrovnik are in for a special treat this spring as the acclaimed Washington and Lee University Singers bring their European tour to the Pearl of the Adriatic. The renowned choir, under the direction of Dr. Shane M. Lynch, will perform a free concert on Monday, April 21st, 2025, at 8:00 PM at the St. Francis Monastery (Franjevački samostan Mala Braća) in the heart of the Old City.

Known for their vibrant performances and intricate harmonies, the choir promises an unforgettable musical journey, the result of months of dedicated preparation.

Admission is free, but space is limited. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their seats by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Don’t miss this magical night of music in one of Dubrovnik’s most iconic settings.

In the first three months of this year, just over one million tourists visited Croatia, recording 2.7 million overnight stays — a decrease of 7.5% and 9.6% respectively compared to the same period last year. The drop in arrivals and overnight stays was even greater in March alone, according to data from the Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB).

According to the eVisitor system data on the CNTB website, March ended with 19.7% fewer tourist arrivals than the same month last year — a total of 445,700 visitors — who achieved just over 1.1 million overnight stays, a decrease of 22.6%.

These results also pulled down the overall figures for the first three months, erasing the positive physical tourism trends from January and February.

The weaker performance in March can partly be attributed to Easter falling at the end of March last year, while this year it takes place deep into April.

Foreign Tourist Numbers See Steep Decline

The overall results for March and the first quarter of this year are primarily due to a significant decline in the number of foreign tourist arrivals and overnight stays compared to last year. In March, there were 268,400 foreign arrivals who recorded 778,300 overnight stays — about 30% less in both categories. In the first three months, foreign tourists made 571,500 arrivals and 1.7 million overnight stays — a drop of 16.5% and 15.6% respectively.

In contrast to foreign tourists, domestic visitors recorded increases compared to last year — 4% more arrivals in March (177,200) and 381,000 overnight stays, up 0.4%. In the first three months, domestic tourists registered 463,200 arrivals and 999,200 overnight stays — an increase of 6.6% and 3.3% year-on-year.

Hotels and Private Rentals Also Report Decreases

Looking at types of accommodation, commercial accommodation accounted for 92.4% of all overnight stays in the first quarter, non-commercial 7%, and nautical tourism less than 1%.

In numbers, this means there were 2.5 million overnight stays in commercial accommodation — 9.5% less than in the first quarter of last year. Of that, most were in hotels, with 1.5 million overnight stays — a 10.2% decrease, which aligns with the continued winter season.

Following hotels are private household accommodations, which accounted for 22.7% of commercial overnight stays. However, these too recorded a nearly 4% decline in overnight stays in the first three months, as did all other types of commercial accommodation.

There was also a drop of nearly 8% in non-commercial accommodation, with 194,000 registered overnight stays. Nautical tourism, due to the off-season for that segment, recorded around 13,000 overnight stays in the first three months — a 32% decrease compared to the same period last year.

The first Hilton on a Croatian island, Hotel Preko, which will operate under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand, is set to open this May on the island of Ugljan, announced the company Zagreb City Hotels on Thursday. The company will manage this hotel in addition to three Hiltons in Zagreb and the Keight Hotel in Opatija, reports Jutarnji List. 

As Josipa Jutt Ferlan, Director of Zagreb City Hotels, reminded yesterday, the project is partially co-financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), with the total investment amounting to €15 million. The hotel is currently in the final stages of furnishing and preparation.

"We are especially proud to be among the first on Croatian islands to operate year-round. By creating jobs on the island of Ugljan, we’ve not only helped retain young people, but also attracted many who have always dreamed of returning and living on the island with their families. Most of our current employees are from Ugljan or Pašman or have ties to the islands, and they’ve decided to relocate specifically because of this job," said Jutt Ferlan.

The plan is for the hotel to remain open all year. It will feature 65 rooms, two large pools, and a meeting room. Rooms are now available to book on Booking.com starting from July 1st, with prices beginning at €230 per night.