In the first nine months, over 900 million euros were earned from tourism, which is more than the whole of last year, announced the Minister of Tourism and Sustainable Development, Pavle Radulović, adding that this year's tourist season is the best in history.
"I am particularly pleased to be able to say that the implementation of the tourist season went in line with our expectations. Attendance is significantly higher than last year, as evidenced by the fact that 892.550 tourists stayed in collective accommodation for the first ten months, over 17 percent more compared to the same period last year," said Radulović in an interview with the Mina-business agency.
He said that there was also an increase in the number of overnight stays by more than ten percent, that is, to a total of 3,75 million from January to October.
"Regarding income, over 900 million euros of income was generated in the first nine months, which is more than the whole of last year, and in the peak season, the Tax Administration collected 14 million euros more in tax income than in the comparative period", said Radulović.
As he added, the airports in Podgorica and Tivat broke records for the number of passengers, a higher number of arrivals to Montenegro at border crossings was never recorded and national parks had a record number of visitors.
"Soon we expect official data for November, but according to the information we receive, we expect November and December to follow this trend," said Radulović.
According to him, another step forward was made this season, not only in terms of numbers, but also in the quality and diversification of the offer, improvement of infrastructure, increase of high category accommodation capacity, improvement of air connectivity of Montenegro and opening of new broadcasting markets.
"All the above results oblige us to do everything in our power to support the Montenegrin tourism economy, strengthen promotion using modern technological trends, strengthen the fight against the gray economy and encourage entrepreneurship in all segments of tourism", believes Radulović.
The new Law on Tourism foresees solutions that go in that direction. Radulović said that he is convinced that with the joint efforts of all actors, it will give the right results and help them to plan the next year as a record one with greater certainty.
Speaking about the current offer and investments in the winter season, Radulović said that there will be six ski resorts in operation: Savin kuk and Javorovača in Žabljak, Kolašin 1450 in Kolašin, Vučje in Nikšić, Lokve in Berane and Hajla in Rožaj.
"Preparations for the ski season are in the final stage, and in Kolašin we already have guests from several European countries. In Kolašin and Žabljak, the offer has been enriched with adventure parks, which will operate throughout the year, and several events of a cultural and entertainment character and several skiing competitions will be held," announced Radulović.
Booking announcements are very good and guests are expected from Serbia, Russia, Albania, France, Great Britain, Germany, Israel and Scandinavian countries.
"During the next year, we will continue the investments started in the north of Montenegro, whose undoubted potential the Government recognizes and actively implements a series of activities with the aim of creating preconditions for investments in this region. The implementation of significant infrastructure investments in the area of Bjelasica and Komovo is underway, and in the initial phase we have decided for the development of three ski resorts, namely Kolašin 1600 in Kolašin, Žarski in Mojkovac and Cmiljača in Bijelo Polje," specified Radulović.
Work on the Kolašin 1600 ski resort is underway, a six-seater cable car is being installed, and a road is being built that will connect the Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600 ski centers. Tenders for the Žarski and Cmiljača ski resorts will be announced next year.
"The plan is to have three ski resorts on Bjelasica with accompanying infrastructure that will be connected by a cable car system, and in order to manage development projects and built infrastructure as efficiently as possible, the Government established the company Ski Resorts of Montenegro", said Radulović.
The total investment in those three ski resorts will amount to over 70 million euros, and after the implementation of the project to which the Government is fully committed, there will be a ski center in this area, which will exceed the known regional centers in terms of the total length of the slopes.
"These kinds of investments give us a good basis for attracting new investors who would invest in accommodation and hospitality facilities in winter centers, which would improve the offer and attract a larger number of tourists", Radulović assessed.
He, answering the question, whether he believes that the decision that comes into force at the beginning of the year on the reduced rate of value added tax (VAT) for five-star hotels on the coast and in the central region and four and five-star hotels in the north will bring those facilities into privileged position compared to others, said that the strategic goal of Montenegro is to position itself as a year-round high-quality tourist destination.
"One of the main instruments for achieving this goal is the development of new, high-quality accommodation facilities. It is evident that Montenegro lacks high-category accommodation facilities, and this measure is defined as an incentive for greater investments by domestic and foreign investors in the hotel business, i.e. standard and quality accommodation, which raises the level of the overall quality of the destination," said Radulović.
Speaking about the dynamics of the implementation of the most important tourism projects in Montenegro, he said that he is satisfied that the projects are implemented in accordance with the investment programs, development plans and capital budget.
"In the coming period, I expect new investments and projects, as well as increased investor interest in investments, especially in the northern part of Montenegro," added Radulović.
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