From the economic aspect, Montenegro is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations, with growth expected to continue in the forthcoming years.
“Although, we’re a small country, we have a lot to offer and many world-known hotel brands operating in Montenegro serve as an evidence for that. Apart from Hilton, Aman, Regent, Four Points &Sheraton, Chedi, Iberostar and others, the Ritz Carlton will soon expand to Montenegro”, said General Director of the Directorate for Competitiveness Development and Investments in Tourism, Ms Olivera Brajović.
“We are constantly working on increasing the high-category accommodation capacities, improvement of air accessibility, diversification of tourist offer and extension of season. We are promoting our tourist offer while working on the creation of authentic tourist product through connecting tourism with agriculture”, said Ms Brajović.
As far as new investments in tourism are concerned, Ms Brajović points out that creation of new investment and business environment has led to increased interest in the construction of new hotel capacities and reconstruction of the existing ones.
“Around 25 new hotels were opened last year, 15 of which were high-category hotels. We want to create the same ambiance in the northern part of the country”, said Ms Brajović.
She stresses that the country’s job is to provide electricity and water prior to any negotiations on investments.
Air accessibility is very important since Montenegro is still mostly air destination.
“In that context, every new air line means a progress for tourism. As a result of better connection with cities in Western Europe, number of tourists from Germany, Austria, UK has doubled. New flights have an impact on better visibility of Montenegro. There are currently nine low-cost air companies operating flights towards Montenegro and vice versa”, says Ms Brajović.
“New routes were opened this year – Bologna and Barcelona.“Easy Jet” operates towards Airport Tivat from London and Manchester during summer IATA season and from Geneva during the peak summer season. “Wizz Air” operates from Memmingen,, Milan and Budapest throughout the year, as well as from Warsaw and Katowice during the peak season. “Ryan Air” is the third carrier according to the traffic at Montenegrin airports. All flights operate two times a week”, says Ms Brajović.
Ms Brajović firmly believes that Bar-Boljare highway will enable tourists better access to the north of our country.
“Tourism will be further boosted, as well as the economy and agriculture. Travelling from Podgorica to Kolašin will be faster, it will take only half an hour .When you provide mobility, circulation of goods and services increases, which results in high-quality offer in tourism.”, says Ms Brajović.
New hotels in Berane and Plav
Berane will soon have new Lokve hotel.
In addition, the doors of the Plavsko jezero hotel in Plav will soon be open for tourists. Kolašin and Žabljak are already recognized as most-visited ski centers.
“Four points by Sheraton” has improved its capacities, as well as former “Lipka” hotel. Opening of the “Kolašin 1600” ski resort has created conditions for the implementation of new projects. We expect another hotel from the “Marriott” group. Offer in Žabljak will be enriched too”, said Ms Brajović.
Low-cost air companies increased number of tourists
Ms Brajović points out that it is obvious that lox-cost companies have brought so many tourists in the past several years, which resulted in increase in the number of overnights and profit.
“Seasons are becoming longer. I think we have forged the way for achieving our most important objective – Montenegro as all year round destination”, says Ms Brajović.