Neighboring nation issues caution to vacationers around mid-August
The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory, advising its citizens not to travel to Croatia between August 1 and 10, 2025. The warning comes primarily due to concerns about potential incidents during commemorative events related to Operation Storm, a major Croatian military operation in the 1990s war. The ministry urges travelers to avoid rallies and public gatherings that might pose security risks during this sensitive period.
The historical context behind this warning is rooted in Operation Storm, which took place in August 1995 during the Croatian War of Independence. This military offensive resulted in a decisive Croatian victory but also led to the displacement and suffering of a significant number of ethnic Serbs. The anniversary of this operation is marked annually in Croatia, often stirring nationalist sentiments and tensions between Croats and Serbs due to the painful legacy of the war.
In response, Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has called Serbia’s travel advisory politically motivated. The Croatian ministry argues that the warning is less about genuine security concerns and more influenced by Serbia’s internal political issues. Croatia remains one of the safest and most popular tourist destinations in the EU, according to various indicators such as Eurostat.
The travel warning refers to the period around the 30th anniversary of the Croatian military operation "Storm" on August 5, which is celebrated in Croatia as "Victory Day and Day of Homeland Gratitude". The commemoration is a sensitive issue in Serbian-Croatian relations, with Croatia celebrating it as liberation and Serbia commemorating the victims and expelled Serbs.
Croatia emphasizes that such recommendations are "predominantly driven by domestic political motives" and not based on "objective criteria or actual security indicators". The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the travel warning, stating that every state has the right to give its citizens recommendations for foreign travel.
It's important to note that around 30,000 Serbs work in Croatia, contributing to the country's economic and social fabric. Despite the tensions, Croatia remains a popular tourist destination, offering a rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and a vibrant tourist industry.
In August 2024, tourists faced a "worse" plague in Croatia, and prices there have also risen. However, these issues are not directly related to the current travel advisory and are expected to be temporary.
As the anniversary of Operation Storm approaches, both countries are urged to handle the commemoration with sensitivity and respect, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all citizens and visitors.
The upcoming 30th anniversary of Operation Storm, a significant event in Croatian politics and general-news, is causing concerns about potential heightened tensions and security risks, necessitating the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a travel advisory for its citizens. Meanwhile, Croatia's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs contends that the travel advisory is politically motivated and not based on genuine security concerns, given the country's reputation as a safe tourist destination and a vibrant lifestyle, often associated with travel and exploration.
