In Croatia, fuel crisis uncertainty looms as summer tourism season heats up

DUBROVNIK, Croatia — Summer is still a few months away, but the streets of Croatia’s old town of Dubrovnik are already teeming with tourists from all over the world. It’s usually a sign of a strong season ahead, but this year uncertainty hangs in the air. Global instability triggered by the Iran war and surging fuel prices have brought unpredictability to the tourism industry, including in Dubrovnik, Croatia’s top Adriatic Sea destination that draws millions of visitors annually. The stakes for Croatia’s economy are high: The tourism sector is one of the country’s key sources of income and is largely dependent on international travelers. Though tourist numbers have been up in Dubrovnik, officials are warning nothing is guaranteed. The fuel crisis and Persian Gulf tensions could drive up airfares and slow arrivals just as the season gathers pace. People sit in a cafe as others walk on the main street of Stradun in old town Dubrovnik, Croatia, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) People sit in a cafe as … more > Miro Draskovic, director of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, noted that while the American market remains strong, some Australian travelers - typically among the top 10 nations coming