Fuel crisis uncertainty looms as Croatia gears up for the summer tourism season

DUBROVNIK, Croatia (AP) — 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.

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 to the city — are now “facing difficulties traveling toward Europe.”

“The situation for sure is very, very difficult, and we are following what’s happening every day," he told The Associated Press.

So far, things are looking good. Dubrovnik airport has recorded a 13% rise in visitors over Easter compared to the same period last year. Its bustling atmosphere and boats ferrying tourists around testify to the city's lasting appeal.

The UNESCO-protected heritage city is known for its rich medieval history, seafront location and churches and palaces within its stone walls. Dubrovnik's popularity soared after it served as a filming location for the hit TV series “Game of Thrones.”

Compared to other regions in the country, Dubrovnik could be harder hit if the fuel crisis deepens because of its location at the southern tip of Croatia's Adriatic Sea coastline. Around 80% of visitors come to Dubrovnik by plane.

Marina Ruso Mileusnic, a spokeswoman for the city's airport, which is connected to some 70 airports around the world, said “we are very cautious about the upcoming season."

Predictions for the weeks and months ahead have varied.

In early April, the head of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol warned in an interview with the AP that Europe has just weeks of jet fuel supplies and could face the biggest energy crisis ever.

This week, however, European Union’s Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said there is “no actual evidence” of shortages in the 27-nation bloc as officials urged people to plan their holidays without fear.

Singapore businessman Ramon Padiernos agreed. The crisis in the Middle East meant he had to swap his favorite carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways for Turkish Airlines, but he still made it to Dubrovnik.

“We feel the impact maybe of oil prices but I think everybody just goes on with their lives and enjoy their holidays,” he said. “I think it is best for the world to see the lighter side of it, rather than focusing on the issues that we cannot control."

Apart from impacts on tourism, the energy crisis has also contributed to a rise in inflation in Croatia to 5.8% in April, one of the highest in the EU.

The country recorded nearly 22 million tourist arrivals last year. Out of some 110 million overnight stays in 2025, Dubrovnik alone had 4.28 million, according to the national tourism board.

Draskovic said hopes are high that things soon will get back to normal. Until then, he said, “we can only work on day to day basis to get the best possible season we can.”

Jovana Gec contributed. to this report

Old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, lines the shore of the Adriatic Sea, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

People make their way through old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Cruise ships are moored in the port of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

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)

Tourists take photos of themselves on a hill overlooking the old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Rhys Hoskins homered and drove in three runs, Chase DeLauter went 4 for 4 with two RBIs and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Athletics 8-5 on Friday night.

The Athletics’ Nick Kurtz was walked by Hunter Gaddis in the seventh inning, his 20th straight game with at least one to tie San Francisco's Barry Bonds (2002-03) for the second-longest streak in major league history. Detroit's Roy Culllenbine has the record with 22 consecutive games with a walk, set in 1947.

Kurtz also extended his on-base streak to 26, but the reigning AL Rookie of the Year struck out against Cade Smith while representing the tying run in the eighth and finished 0 for 4 with the walk.

Hoskins had a two-run double against J.T. Ginn (0-1) to tie it at 4 in the fifth and hit a solo homer — his second of the season — to put Cleveland up 6-4 in the seventh following a go-ahead sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Angel Martínez.

DeLauter hit a two-run double that tied it at 2 with two outs in the second.

Cleveland led 8-4 when Kurtz walked to load the bases with no outs. Brent Rooker, who hit a two-run homer to snap an 0-for-20 slump and give the Athletics a 2-0 lead in the first, had an RBI single to chase Gaddis. Erik Sabrowski (1-1) came in and struck out Darell Hernaiz and Tyler Soderstrom before four-time Gold Glove winner Steven Kwan chased down Colby Thomas's fly ball at the wall in center to keep it 8-5.

Joey Cantillo allowed four runs and five hits with three walks in four innings for Cleveland. Smith got the final four outs for his eighth save in 10 opportunities.

Zack Gelof had a two-run single in the fourth to give the Athletics a 4-2 lead.

Guardians rookie Travis Bazzano is 0 for 9 through his first three games, but walked twice and scored the first two runs of his big league career.

Ginn allowed five runs and five hits with five walks in 4 1/3 innings.

Cleveland has won 22 of the last 27 games against the A's.

Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (0-4, 6.23) starts Saturday opposite Athletics LHP Jacob Lopez (2-1, 5.84).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Athletics' Colby Thomas (32) reacts after hitting a long fly ball to the wall for an out in the eighth inning of a a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) tosses his bat after he was walked in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor is at left. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Cleveland Guardians' Chase DeLauter runs to first base after hitting a two-run RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)

Cleveland Guardians' Rhys Hoskins hits a bases loaded two-run RBI double in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, May 1, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Alan Greth)