For more than half a century, the U.S. dollar has firmly held its position as the world’s primary reserve currency. However, in recent times, the question is being asked more loudly than ever – is that dominance under threat, and could another currency take over?

The dollar is crucial to the global economy. Central banks hold it as their main reserve currency, most international trade is denominated in it, and it is used in nearly all major international financial institutions. Around 60 percent of global foreign currency reserves are still tied to the dollar, securing its status as the most trusted currency. This privileged position allows the United States to borrow money cheaply, exert greater control over global financial flows, and use the dollar as a tool of foreign policy leverage — through sanctions, for instance — as noted in IMF data.

Still, global circumstances are changing. Financial sanctions against Russia, trade wars between the U.S. and China, and growing rivalries among major powers have prompted some countries to look for alternatives to the dollar-based system. The process, known as "de-dollarization," is increasingly part of political and financial discussions — particularly in countries like China, Russia, Iran, and Brazil. These nations are signing trade agreements in local currencies, reducing their dollar exposure in reserves, and developing alternative financial infrastructures such as China’s CIPS payment system.

Is the Reign of the Dollar Coming to an End?

Among the most commonly mentioned potential replacements for the dollar are the euro and the Chinese yuan. The euro, as the currency of the European Union, benefits from institutional stability and is used in a significant share of global reserves. However, its limited role in energy trading and internal political divisions within the EU restrict its reach. On the other hand, China is actively promoting the yuan in international trade and finance, but capital controls and concerns about financial transparency still prevent broader adoption of the currency.

In this context, some hope also lies in technological alternatives — such as cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). While cryptocurrencies offer a technological revolution in value transfer, their volatility and legal uncertainty prevent them from being serious contenders as national reserve currencies.

If the dollar were to lose its status as the global reserve currency in the future, the consequences would be deep and far-reaching. For the world, it could mean greater volatility in exchange rates, more complex transactions, and potentially higher transaction costs as the global system fragments across multiple currencies. Countries holding large dollar reserves would have to revise their monetary strategies, and international institutions like the IMF and World Bank would face the need to redefine their operational models.

A high-level meeting between Croatia Airlines and representatives from Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the City of Dubrovnik, and Dubrovnik Airport has resulted in a set of agreements aimed at improving connectivity and affordability for local residents.

Held in Zagreb, the meeting concluded with three major announcements:

• Discounted Fares for Locals: Croatia Airlines and Dubrovnik’s Ruđer Bošković Airport will work with local authorities to develop a fixed quota of airline tickets at specially reduced prices exclusively for residents of the county.

• Later Afternoon Flight Coming Soon: By autumn, the airline will introduce an additional, later afternoon flight from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, offering more flexibility for passengers.

• New Aircraft Named “Dubrovnik”: A new aircraft is expected to join the fleet soon, proudly carrying the name “Dubrovnik.” Uniquely equipped to land safely during strong winds, the plane is a nod to the region’s aviation needs and identity.

This collaborative effort marks a step forward in addressing the long-standing challenges of air travel to and from Dubrovnik, particularly for locals.

The concert by Marko Perković Thompson, officially scheduled to take place at the Zagreb Hippodrome on July 5, was officially sold out on April 3, just before 10 p.m. It was previously known that this would be a world record in terms of the number of tickets sold for a single artist not performing as part of a festival. However, what’s astonishing is that the previous record-holder was surpassed by more than double — referring to Vasco Rossi’s concert in Modena, which had around 225,000 attendees.

Entrio, the leading regional ticketing platform focused on analyzing event industry trends and processing ticket sales data and consumer behavior, conducted an in-depth analysis of the audience attending this historic concert. Interestingly, one-third of the audience is under 28 years old, and half are younger than 32, reports N1. 

The majority of attendees were born in 1997 (4.42%), followed by 1998 (4.39%), 1996 (4.37%), 1999 (4.18%), and 1995 (4.09%).

Thompson’s fans are coming from as many as 45 countries and over 5,000 different cities.

85% of all attendees are from Croatia, followed by Germany (5.3%), Austria (4.3%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (2.4%), Switzerland (1%), and Slovenia (1%). Amazingly, tickets were also purchased from Russia, Argentina, the USA, China, Canada, Australia, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, and many other countries.

Within Croatia, most fans are coming from Zagreb and the surrounding area (33%), followed by Zadar (2.9%), Split (2.5%), Rijeka (2.3%), and Osijek (1.35%).

The cities outside of Croatia with the most ticket buyers are Munich, Vienna, Mostar, Graz, Široki Brijeg, and Stuttgart.

For the first time since long-stay travel statistics have been tracked, more Czech tourists traveled to Italy than to Croatia in 2023, marking a historic shift in holiday preferences.

Until last year, Croatia had consistently been the top international destination for Czechs embarking on extended vacations—defined as trips lasting four nights or more. Often referred to as the Czechs' "own sea," the Adriatic coast was a long-standing favorite. However, in 2023, Italy surpassed Croatia as their most visited long-haul destination.

According to data from the Czech Statistical Office, Czech citizens made more than 7.5 million trips abroad last year. While this is slightly down from the previous year, it still exceeds the numbers from pre-pandemic 2019. Of those, 5.7 million were longer trips lasting at least four nights.

In addition to longer stays, 1.5 million Czechs took short international trips, while 323,000 traveled abroad for business, Večernji list reports.

Italy saw a 25% increase in Czech tourists compared to 2022, with a total of 796,000 trips. Egypt and Greece also experienced a rise in popularity among Czech travelers.

Conversely, the number of visits to Croatia dropped by 17%, totaling around 674,000 trips. Spain also saw a decline in Czech tourist numbers, further signaling a broader shift in preferences.

Despite the drop, Croatia remains a key market for Czech tourism. However, with increasing interest in other Mediterranean destinations and beyond, maintaining Croatia’s appeal may require fresh strategies and targeted marketing efforts in the years ahead.

Ante Žigman, President of the Board of the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (Hanfa), has urged Croatian and European investors to rethink their strategies and shift focus from American assets to European companies, reports HINA. 

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Support for Sustainable Financing conference—co-organized by Hanfa—Žigman highlighted the rapid response of financial markets to newly imposed U.S. tariffs.

Just two days ago, the United States slapped 10% tariffs on imports from over 180 countries, with additional reciprocal tariffs depending on their trade surplus with the U.S. Notably, goods from the European Union were hit with 20% tariffs. China, facing cumulative tariffs of 54% on its exports to the U.S., retaliated Friday by announcing 34% tariffs on American goods, effective April 10. Europe’s response is still pending.

Markets reacted swiftly. By midday Friday, the pan-European STOXX 600 index had dropped 4.42%, facing a projected weekly loss of 7.5%. Other major indices followed suit: London’s FTSE fell 3.6%, Frankfurt’s DAX plunged 4.74%, Paris’ CAC was down 4.11%, and Milan’s FTSE MIB saw the sharpest drop—7.3%.

The Zagreb Stock Exchange also took a hit, with indices falling around 2%. The Crobex stood at 3,200 points and the Crobex10 at 1,999 points, wiping out all gains made in 2025 so far.

Žigman suggested the downturn reflects investors’ anticipation of potential EU countermeasures, particularly the possibility of tariffs on U.S. services—a sector where the U.S. holds a significant trade surplus with Europe.

“If the European Commission imposes tariffs on U.S. services, it could strike a major blow to U.S. capital markets and company valuations,” Žigman explained. “Unlike the current tariffs, which mainly target goods, services are where Europe could retaliate most effectively.”

However, he cautioned that escalating trade wars and retaliatory tariffs would ultimately harm all economies by increasing consumer costs and slowing growth.

Looking ahead, Žigman advocated for a strategic pivot in investment behavior. “It’s time for Croatian and European investors to reduce exposure to various U.S. assets and focus more on European stocks,” he said. He pointed out that many younger investors are heavily invested in U.S. tech companies, bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies—sectors predominantly based in America.

“As a patriotic countermeasure, we should start investing more in European companies and thereby strengthen the European capital market,” Žigman concluded.

The fourth edition of the Family Accommodation Congress opened today in Split, bringing together a large number of private renters, tourism professionals, and representatives of public institutions.

The event was officially opened by Monika Udovičić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, who emphasized the essential role of family-run accommodation in the continued development of Croatia's tourism sector.

“Through our reform, we aim to preserve what we recognize as true domestic accommodation – those who have traditionally been involved in it – while setting new frameworks for others in the short-term rental market. We're not banning anyone, just creating a structure that protects genuine hosts and ensures this model of hospitality thrives in the future,” said Udovičić.

She underlined that family-run tourism is a unique advantage for Croatia and announced branding efforts to further elevate this segment.

Congress Kicks Off with Legal & Policy Discussions

The two-day congress opened with a panel discussion titled "New Legal Framework and Challenges for Family Accommodation in Croatia." Representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets provided clarification on new regulations affecting private accommodation providers.

Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, presented a detailed analysis of the sector as part of the initiative to introduce a new recognition label for family accommodation.

“Family-run accommodation accounts for 60% of Croatia’s commercial tourism capacity, with over 673,000 main beds. We want a recognizable quality label that reflects authenticity, guarantees hospitality, and promotes sustainable practices,” said Staničić, announcing a public call for creative proposals to design the visual identity of the new label, with a strong emphasis on the role of the ‘host’.

Engaged Participants and Forward-Thinking Topics

Barbara Marković, President of the Croatian Family Accommodation Association, noted high engagement on the first day of the congress.

“The atmosphere is positive, the hall is full, and the discussions have covered everything from fiscal obligations to sustainability and quality standards,” she said. She highlighted a presentation by the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board on the importance of theming and differentiating private accommodation, calling it crucial for competitiveness.

The program also included a workshop on artificial intelligence in tourism, with Marković stressing the relevance of digital tools for future growth.

Lorena John, President of the Istrian Family Accommodation Association, emphasized the importance of national-level events like this, noting that family accommodation represents 40% of all beds in Istria.

“The congress provides practical insights and legal clarifications that can immediately improve day-to-day operations,” she said.

What’s Next

The congress continues on Saturday, with sessions focused on:

• Legal rights and tax obligations of property owners

• The role of technology in tourism

• Categorization challenges

• Domestic and international booking platforms

• Best practices in promotion and sustainability

The event is organized by the Croatian Family Accommodation Association in partnership with the Istrian Family Accommodation Association.

Bad news for drivers—fuel prices are set to increase from Tuesday, RTL reports.

The latest price adjustment means that Eurosuper will now cost €1.47 per litre, marking a three-cent increase. The price of Eurodiesel will also rise, reaching €1.37 per litre, an increase of two cents. Additionally, blue diesel, commonly used in agriculture and fishing, will now be priced at €0.76 per litre, also up by two cents.

New Fuel Prices from Tuesday:

• Eurosuper: €1.47 (+€0.03)
• Eurodiesel: €1.37 (+€0.02)
• Blue Diesel: €0.76 (+€0.02)

Unusual in appearance and painted in vibrant colors, this ship captured our attention as we spotted it in the Port of Gruž. It is the Ocean Sentinel, a European Fisheries Inspection vessel responsible for overseeing fishing activities in both European and international waters. Additionally, it conducts maritime surveillance and pollution control.

It is one of three vessels in the fleet, of relatively recent construction, measuring 62 metres in length and 16 metres wide.