ZAGREB, 13 Nov (Hina) – Almost half of Croatian citizens plan to travel abroad this winter, while 19% intend to go skiing, five percentage points fewer than last year, according to the latest MasterIndex survey.

The survey, carried out in October by the agency Improve for Mastercard Croatia, covered around 1,000 banking service users aged between 18 and 55.

Forty-eight percent of respondents said they planned to take a leisure trip abroad, most often to European cities. Christmas market trips remain the most popular choice (49% of those planning to travel), while interest in New Year’s trips in Europe (23%) and outside Europe (8%) has increased.

Trips to European cities for Advent or New Year typically last up to three days, while ski holidays usually last between four and seven days. Journeys outside Europe average 11 days.

When travelling with others, groups usually consist of three people, with planned spending averaging €100 per person per day. Thirty-six percent expect to spend up to €500 per trip, while 33% will spend over €1,000. On average, respondents plan to spend €1,191 per trip abroad, rising to €1,633 for ski holidays.

Sixty-four percent of international travel expenses are paid by card, compared with 41% in 2019.

Among those not planning to travel abroad, 46% cited financial reasons, 51% said they simply do not usually travel in winter, and only 4% mentioned geopolitical uncertainty or natural disasters.

Within Croatia, 47% of respondents plan to take a winter trip, eight percentage points fewer than last year, mainly to central Croatia, Gorski Kotar and Lika, with somewhat less interest in the northern coast, Slavonia, Baranja and the south.

Planned spending for domestic winter holidays averages €640, or €73 per person per day. Travellers expect to spend more on the northern coast (€706) than in Dalmatia (€574).

When choosing where to travel, Croatians prioritise value for money (65%) and accommodation prices (60%), followed by transport costs (36%).

According to MasterIndex data, the average number of leisure trips taken by Croatians rose to 4.9 this year from 4.6 last year, while business travel continued to decline to 2.4 trips a year from 2.6. Leisure trips account for 67% of all travel, and business trips for 33%.

Croatians still travel most frequently within the country, averaging three domestic leisure trips per year, with trips to euro area countries rising to 1.3 per year.

Spending on foreign holidays remains broadly stable at €1,465 per trip, €22 more than last year, with one in three respondents saying they spent more than €1,000 on their last journey abroad.