Montenegro has become prestigious tourism destination
Western Balkans region should put its natural and cultural potential into the function of tourism economy, harmonised with modern demand of the world market. Montenegro has become prestigious tourism destination. However, only a unified, diverse and wider tourism offer of the region countries can be valued more efficiently on the international market, it was said at the Conference on economy in Budva.
The chambers of commerce of Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Macedonia have been involved in the creation of joint tourism products for some time. The main topics of the panel discussion dedicated to the joint tourism product were that should be improved and how to respond to the challenges along the way, announced the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro.
State secretary of the Ministry of Sustainable development and Tourism, Mr Damir Davidović, stressed that tourism is the most important economic branch in Montenegro, characterised by constant growth in the past 15 years.
Last year for the first time, a profit of over €1 billion was registered. According to the estimates, this year is going to be even better as 200,000 more guests were recorded and 600,000 more overnights.
Several hundred million euros are invested in tourism projects every year. Highway will significantly contribute to the development of the north, as well as construction of ski resorts.
“This year we have opened another ski resort in Montenegro and we expect it to be one of the largest in this part of Europe. We want the tourism of the north to participate significantly in GDP in ten years” the Ministry representative said.
CEO of Azmont Investments, Mr Stevan Milić, said that projects worth several billion EUR are were being carried out at the Montenegrin coast. One of the most valuable investments is Porto Novi, worth €1 billion with the first One & Only hotel in Europe.
“I think we are doing very well. The investment climate in Montenegro is very positive and investors feel welcome here”, said Mr Milić.
Director of Provobis from Slovenia, Ms Darija Radić, thinks that tourism development requires such environment in which private and public sector will be partners, in order to attract investments. In 2018, Slovenia made a profit of €2,7 billion.
Slovenia now has everything, but lacks staff, as people leave in search for better living conditions.
Ms Radić says that tourism development requires cooperation among the countries in the region.
Project manager for tourism in the Regional Cooperation Council, Ms Snježana Derviškadić, presented Regional council as a platform of which tourism is one of the segments.
According to her, market wants regional programs. Heritage is our common feature which contributes to the similarity of our diverse offers.
In order to stimulate tourism, it is necessary to provide smooth and faster crossing of borders among Western Balkans countries, to make movements of the people inside the region more simple.
Source: CDM
