The growth trend of private family accommodation has finally been stopped. Namely, every year at the national level we have seen an increase in the number of beds in this type of accommodation by several tens of thousands. Many apartments and houses would remain unoccupied, some would only operate for a month or two, and costs and fees would increase. Although not in significant numbers, there is still a shift to long-term rentals, and those who really deal with it and offer quality service remain in tourism, writes HRT.
For example, in Istria, in the first seven months of this year, compared to the same period last year, a slight decrease in the number of beds was recorded from 111.884 to 110.853.
A family from Germany wanted to come to a particular house in Butkovići, Istria. They were looking for peace, freedom, contact with nature, and unobtrusive but warm hosts.
- The owners are very hospitable, we feel welcome, it really feels like we are at home, she said. Carolina from Germany.
- I think that's the added value, that commitment to each guest individually. That's what the reviews say, and the rental itself usually lasts from April 1st to November 1st. The house is full the whole time, she pointed out. Matea Stanic, owner of a vacation home, Bankovići.
Agencies through which highly rated houses are rented to tourists are not recording any cancellations of cooperation.
- None of our clients have switched to long-term rentals. We have high-quality homes and this season has been even better for me personally than last season, he said. Massimo Chiavalon, travel agency, Pula.
However, the costs are increasing. A retiree who, while renting a house, is moving in with her children, is considering canceling her tourism business.
- Pay for cleaning, pay for laundry, ironing, pay taxes, pay for electricity, water, internet..., you don't have much left, she emphasized. Laura Plesic, private rental company, Medulin.
That's why many people have started renting for longer periods, like the Medulinac man whose house is home to Americans who work there. The owner has much less to do with maintaining the house.
- They are more protective of the facility itself. My wife and I wanted either a little more financial impact or a little more freedom. We decided on freedom, he said. Aleksander Vojak, owner of a holiday home, Medulin.
- This year, for the first time in the last few years, we are actually seeing an increase in the demand for long-term rentals. The fact is that the season this year shows weaker results and the fact is that some people are switching to long-term leases, he stated Igor Vitasovic, real estate agency, Pula.
- Long-term rentals are being used, especially in places where there are universities, where there is a market for it. And I believe a smaller part has moved into the grey zone, or the grey economy, he believes. Boris Žgomba, president of the Association of Travel Agencies, Croatian Chamber of Economy.
Whether a small number of people have actually resorted to illegal renting will only be determined by state inspectors. It probably won't be easy, because everyone can host 15 friends in their home per year. Or so-called friends.
Source: HRT
Photo: Pixabay
