Low cost airlines have undoubtedly boosted Montenegrin tourist economy, made a positive impact on the extension of the season, revenues and employment, and provided marketing visibility of Montenegro, said the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
Nine low-cost air companies are currently operating flights from and to Montenegro. First flights were made six years ago.
“According to the official statistical data collected by the Statistical Office of Montenegro, introducing low-cost air lines resulted in evident increase in the number of tourists, overnights and revenues generated on that basis”, said the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
They said that connecting Montenegro with important emitting markets was one of the best possibilities for stable rise in foreign guests arrivals.
“General impact on tourism is just as important. Role of low-cost companies as catalysts of the extension of the season is crucial”, said the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
Due to considerable distance from the majority of its target emitting markets of western and Central Europe, Scandinavia, and because of its topographic characteristics, Montenegro is recognized as air destination. In accordance with the Montenegro Tourism Development Strategy 2020, accessibility of Montenegro as tourist destination represents one of the essential factors for the success of tourist economy.
“With the aim of bringing Montenegro closer to emitting markets of Western and Central Europe, in 2011, Ministry of Tourism engaged in the activities on the introduction of low-cost air companies on the Montenegrin Market. Impact analysis carried out by the Ministry has shown that low-cost companies are going to provoke rapid increase of the overall market”, said the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
Until 2013, air accessibility of Montenegro was based on the operation of commercial air carriers and charter air companies.
“Low-cost air companies open new chapter and contribute to the development of high-quality tourism”, pointed out the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
Thanks to low-cost air companies airports Podgorica and Tivat have significantly increased their traffic flow and the cabin occupancy percentage during their flights is very high.
“In addition, flights operate throughout the whole year, which reduces the seasonality”, said the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
“Available statistics show that Montenegro has been recording a constant and stable increase in the number of tourists and overnights off main summer season, which means that we are slowly but surely getting closer to the strategic objective of Montenegro – becoming all-year round destination”, said the representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.
