Tourism price scandal: A bill 'broke' the internet after a tourist paid 6 euros for water

A single restaurant receipt from southern France, showing a €6 charge for a bottle of water, has ignited a fiery online debate and reignited discussions about pricing in popular European tourist destinations. The image of the bill, shared on Facebook by the Croatian Traveler page, quickly garnered over 200,000 views.

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For days we have been seeing the same story in the media: that it is expensive only here. We are not a third-world country, and prices are not set out of malice. On the contrary, they are dictated by the law of supply and demand.

The post challenged the narrative often presented in Croatian media, which frequently focuses on high prices within Croatia. The page administrator argued that comparing prices without considering economic context is flawed. "We are not a third-world country, and prices are not set out of malice. On the contrary, they are dictated by the law of supply and demand," the post stated, adding that expecting tourist resort prices to match those inland is unrealistic and shows a misunderstanding of price formation.

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Expecting to pay for a bottle of water on the promenade of a major tourist resort at the same price as in Sisak only shows that the authors of such articles do not understand how prices are formed.

Many users agreed, emphasizing that price comparisons are meaningless without factoring in local purchasing power. "But why don't you also say that the average salary in France is almost double ours?" one user commented. "For a Frenchman, paying six euros for a bottle of water is not the same as for a Croat. And we live in tourist destinations, or do you think lower prices are charged to us?" Another user pointed out that locals in tourist areas often pay the same high prices year-round, with further increases before the next season.

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Okay, but why don't you also say that the average salary in France is almost double ours?

Experiences shared by users corroborated the high costs in France. One individual recalled paying €4.70 for a can of Coca-Cola at a cafe near a visa application center, while another reported a bill of €110 for two Cokes, two pizzas, and a portion of mussels with fries in Saint-Tropez. Some commenters noted that high prices for drinks and food are not unique to recent Croatian tourist seasons, with a bottle of water in Split reportedly costing between €4 and €5 for years.

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For a Frenchman, paying six euros for a bottle of water is not the same as for a Croat. And we live in tourist destinations, or do you think lower prices are charged to us?