Montenegro welcomes tourists with a special welcome

The Minister of Tourism, Simonida Kordić, and the Director of the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro (NTO CG), Ana Tripković Marković, visited Podgorica Airport as part of the "Connect with Montenegro" campaign, which NTO CG is implementing in cooperation with its marketing partner, One, and which includes the Dobrakovo and Debeli Brijeg border crossings, as well as both Montenegrin airports.

The aim of the campaign is to provide guests with a sincere, warm welcome upon their first step into Montenegro and to provide them with useful information for their stay in the country, but also to bring symbolic gifts that will remind them of this first contact with the destination. The campaign is being organized for the second year in a row, and due to the success of last year, it will now last two months with the possibility of extension and over 100.000 commemorative gifts that the promoters will distribute to tourists. The campaign is being implemented in cooperation with the ONE company, with the support of the Airport of Montenegro, the Ministry of Internal Affairs - Border Police Sector and the main sponsors of the campaign, the companies Aqua Biance and Montengro Chips.

Minister of Tourism, Simonida Kordić, emphasized that she is particularly pleased that this year's campaign includes both airports, given the growth in the number of passengers and the importance of the first contact with the destination.

"Our airports, including the one in Podgorica, are truly operating at full capacity. In the first half of the year, aircraft traffic increased by six percent, while the number of passengers using airport services increased by as much as seven percent compared to the same period last year. These are significant successes, because every investment in airports is an investment in tourism, and this infrastructure is of strategic importance for our tourism industry. We are satisfied with the results so far, and I am sure that the management of our airports is also proud of this trend," said Kordić.

The Director of the National Tourism Organization, Ana Tripković Marković, added that, according to unofficial data from local tourism organizations, around 115.000 guests are currently staying in Montenegro, and that the structure of guests has not changed significantly, that guests from the region and Western Europe still dominate, but that there are more and more visitors from distant markets.

Speaking about the campaign, she emphasized how important the first impression is: "The first contact with the country leaves an indelible mark. That is why we are expanding and extending this campaign, in order to tell every guest - you are welcome. Our promoters are handing out gifts and all the necessary information. We would like to especially thank the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Border Police, the Airports of Montenegro and the sponsors Aqua Bianca and Montte chips," said Tripković Marković.

The CEO of One, Branko Mitrović, said that the enthusiasm we see from tourists at border crossings every day shows how important the first contact with a destination is.

"The enthusiasm we see from tourists at border crossings every day confirms that we have hit the mark with this campaign - a good first impression is remembered. They are especially pleased that immediately upon arrival, at the airport, they can activate their card and get internet access without waiting, which gives them a sense of security, but also the freedom to share their first impressions with family and friends. Guests recognize the attention we pay them through concrete gestures - a warm welcome, useful information and carefully prepared gifts that tell them on arrival that they are important. We are proud to be part of an initiative that combines the best of Montenegro - openness, partnership and an authentic experience. And we continue even stronger because we believe that tourism is not just the number of arrivals, but the feeling with which guests leave and the desire to return again," added Mitrović.

Initial impressions from tourists confirm that the campaign is generating positive reactions. A visitor from Paris said that this was the first time she had received a gift in a country immediately upon arrival, emphasizing how “nice and unexpected a gesture” it was, and that she plans to visit the national parks and the north of Montenegro. A tourist from London emphasized that he was particularly pleased to be greeted by such a friendly atmosphere and that he could not wait to explore Montenegro. A guest from Colombia shared that she had always wanted to see Montenegro, and that such an authentic welcome made her feel immediately at home.