On my last trip, I didn't spend a single PHYSICAL euro or cent. As in many other European destinations

And on my last trip to Ireland, which lasted 7 days, I didn't spend a single PHYSICAL euro or cent. I paid everything, absolutely everything, by card. From pubs, cafes, restaurants, museums online, even souvenirs and food at Christmas stalls.

By the way, on the first day of 2024, a tax-free amount of tip came into life in Croatia, which can now also be paid by card. The non-taxable amount is 3.360 euros per year per person, and the tip amount above the non-taxable part will be taxed at the income tax rate.

More than fair and correct, and this measure will certainly raise the salaries of employees in the hospitality industry as well as the overall working conditions. Win/win for everyone.

Also, I hope that more and more entrepreneurs will introduce the option of card payment, after all, we are in 2024, especially in Croatia when we talk about tourism. From renting sunbeds on the beach, selling at stands, buying ice cream, bakery products, to cafes. 

In modern destinations (countries - because it is a standard of civilization and much wider than the tourist context itself), absolutely everything can be paid with a card - physical card, mobile phone or smart watch. I deliberately put "and" according to the comments and conversations there is obviously a lot of fear in the public about losing physical money. Justified fear or not, I understand them in a bigger picture.

That's why it must be with cash payment i the option to pay by card. 

I'm surprised that we didn't implement card payments much earlier precisely because of tourism. Because until we switched to the euro, it was the local currency that caused confusion for guests regarding prices, converting money into local currency and comparing prices. as well as when we travel to destinations where the euro is not used. You always compare prices and convert it into your own currency in your head.  

Now that we have also implemented the euro in Croatia, that problem no longer exists. Also, a little while ago I mentioned the prices of cafes, deck chairs, ice cream stands... from the perspective of a guest on vacation. Why should he carry both physical money and a wallet, when he has everything on his mobile phone. You just have an extra worry for another "item". 

I'm not sure, but I think that the Mlinar bakery was the first in Croatia to introduce the option of card payments. What a relief for me personally, that I finally don't have to think about whether I have coins in my wallet that make my wallet heavy and rattle. This is the reason why I go to Mlinar. The same story with cafes. 

I had the same experience in Valencia, Dubai, London, Budapest... even in London I had £80 in bills from before that I wanted to spend and couldn't. Hardly even at my request, the saleswoman at the souvenir stand wanted to take 2/ pounds, the rest I still have in bills. 

Finally, we have to admit that it is strange to me that from our Croatian perspective, despite the fact that we have stepped into the year 2024, I am looking forward to the fact that I was able to pay for everything on the trip by card and that I am still awake dreaming of that day in Croatia. In fact, just yesterday the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)  approved Bitcoin ETFs for trading on US exchanges, which means that we have a legal integration of cryptocurrencies into the financial system.

So, in order to be up-to-date, we have to think today about how to enable payment via crypto, and not lead discussions to introduce card payment or not.  

PS

In Ireland, I experienced watching a football match between Liverpool and Newcastle United in a pub. Wow, what an atmosphere.

Even now I get goosebumps when I remember the match, drinking beer, cheering and commenting on the match with the locals. As a football fan, it is definitely an experience that will remain in my long-term memory. Rather, the same could be sold as a tourist experience through agencies or directly on pub websites.

Photo: hrturism