Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.62.3.3
Tourism and Inequalities in Croatia: Analysis of Comments on the Reddit Network Platform
Augustin Derado
; Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Center Split, Croatia
Željka Zdravković
; University of Zadar, Department of Sociology, Croatia
Iva Žunić
orcid.org/0000-0002-7766-3641
; Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Center Split, Croatia
Abstract
This paper analyses online discussions about tourism in Croatia, with a particular focus on
social inequalities. The data was collected through data scraping from the Reddit platform
using the R programming language, encompassing a total of 3,455 comments from 105 discussion
threads posted between 2013 and 2022. A qualitative thematic analysis identified five
key themes: (1) advocacy of a market-oriented approach and the interests of private landlords
and hospitality providers; (2) criticism of high prices in tourism and the limited accessibility of
tourist services for segments of the population; (3) negative effects of tourism on the quality of
life in local communities; (4) tourism as a domain shaped by clientelism and illegal practices;
and (5) conflicting perceptions of tourism’s broader impact on social inequality.
The analysis shows that critical discourses dominate the conversations, linking tourism with
rising living costs, housing shortages, and infrastructural pressure, while greater benefits tend
to be concentrated among a relatively small share of the population. This discourse also expresses
dissatisfaction with clientelist networks and illegal activities in the tourism sector, as
well as growing concern over the widespread effects of overtourism. A particularly salient
theme is the frustration voiced in relation to rising prices, with many comments noting that a
growing number of Croatian citizens can no longer afford extended stays on the Adriatic coast.
Although critical discourse dominates the analysed discussions, a portion of commenters supports
a market logic aimed at profit maximization regardless of its social consequences. The
comments reveal a fundamental tension between neoliberal approaches to tourism development
and alternative perspectives that emphasize more equitable and sustainable outcomes. In
conclusion, the need for further sociological research is emphasized, particularly in light of the
implementation of the new Tourism Act (Official Gazette 156/2023) and its potential effects
on local communities and social inequalities.
Keywords
tourism; Reddit; thematic analysis; social inequalities; overtourism; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
330491
URI
Publication date:
27.3.2025.
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