CHANGES IN THE TOURIST EXPENDITURE PATTERNS IN OPATIJA AND RIJEKA

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether changes in the level, structure and determinants of tourist expenditure that is recorded in 2016 in relation to that recorded in 2014 exist. The results are based on a survey conducted during summer months of 2014 and 2016 in Opatija and Rijeka (Croatia). The quantitative analysis is based on a sample of 1198 respondents. The respondents were divided into two groups, those who visited these destinations in 2014 and those who stayed there in 2016. Independent t-tests were conducted to determine significant differences between two groups of respondents. Finally, two regression analyses were made to identify their expenditure determinants. The results reported that there are significant differences in the level and the structure of tourism expenditure between two groups. In addition, the main findings indicate that different predictors influence the daily expenditure levels reported in 2014 and 2016.