PKCG: Government to help mitigate losses due to unsuccessful ski season

The ski season without a single snowy day failed and caused great losses for the businessmen who prepared it, it was announced at the session of the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG), from which a request was sent to the Government to help mitigate its consequences.

From the session of the Committee of the Association of Tourism and Hospitality PKCG, a request was sent to the Government to help alleviate the consequences of a bad ski season and thereby contribute to the adequate preparation of the upcoming ones.

The Deputy President of the Board, Luka Bulatović, said that last year's successful summer season influenced the further recovery of tourism in Montenegro, with 2,61 million tourist arrivals recorded, which is 20 percent more than in 2022 and one percent less than in 2019. .

"Total revenues from tourism last year, according to data from the Central Bank (CBCG), amount to 1,52 billion euros and are 44 percent higher than in 2022, or 38 percent higher than in 2019. Revenues were achieved through price increases during the wave of inflation," said Bulatović.

He stated that, however, the winter tourist season in the ski centers practically did not exist this year, and the winter centers and the tourist economy suffered great damage due to the lack of snowfall.

"There was not a single skiing day at the ski resorts, which is an unprecedented case. The large funds that have been invested in the preparation of the winter season, which has not even started, threaten the ongoing business of the ski resort. The preparation of the summer season in the north of Montenegro, which businessmen can hardly finance from their own income, is questionable," said Bulatović.

State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North, Vuk Žižić, said that good preparation and timely activities can contribute to the creation of preconditions for the smooth development of seasons and the achievement of satisfactory results.

As he stated, in accordance with such an approach, the Ministry in charge of tourism affairs has been coordinating the preparation for several years and is submitting the Summer Season Preparation Plan to the Government for approval.

"The intention is that institutions and companies at the state and local level recognize their role in the formation of a good business environment, which will result in an increase in traffic and better financial effects from tourism as a whole," said Žižić.

According to him, bearing in mind the significant participation of tourism in the gross domestic product (GDP) of our country, a successful season is a stimulus and driver of the entire economy.

"Communication with all involved entities and the finalization of the Plan are underway, and it will be submitted to the Government for adoption by the end of March. Through the Plan, a cross-section of activities will be given that will be realized before, but also during the season itself, which will contribute to the smooth development of the season, which undoubtedly affects the satisfaction of our tourists", said Žižić.

He said that, according to the inputs provided by competent institutions and companies, numerous activities related to infrastructure works (traffic and water infrastructure, better electricity supply), diversification of the tourist offer, better accessibility of the destination, and especially air accessibility are planned. , because it is of crucial importance for our destination, then employment, where we face many challenges, especially when it comes to seasonal employment, but inevitably also the promotion of everything that our destination has to offer tourists.

Anđa Vukčević Zorić from Ski Center Vučje said that many ski resorts suffered enormous damage when it comes to the winter tourist season.

According to her, great efforts, significant financial resources and additional manpower were invested in the preparation of the winter season, and the consequences of its absence produced great consequences.

"It is necessary to plan for the next winter season now, not in September. I appeal to the Government to find a way to mitigate the consequences of the lack of snowfall", said Vukčević Zorić, adding that there is also a need to discuss climate change more and plan accordingly.

The executive director of Durmitor Ski Center, Marinko Purić, said that it is clear to everyone that the winter tourist season has failed and that there were none of the planned 90 skiing days.

"We are in a very difficult financial situation, we made every effort and every possible means, but the lack of snow cover did not work for us. Our losses are irreparable," said Purić.

As he said, they turned to the relevant ministry for financial support, in order to partially compensate for the losses, and that they hope for a positive response.

Tanja Vukić from the Ski Resort of Montenegro said that they also turned to the Ministry of Tourism, because without their help they will not be able to continue functioning.

"Now we are working on the preparation of the summer tourist season and we are doing everything in our power, but we need financial help for the huge losses we have suffered, and we hope that the Ministry will listen and meet us," said Vukić.

The Vice President of PKCG, Dragan Kujović, stated that help to the ski centers is definitely necessary after this winter season, and that we need to react urgently.

The director of the National Tourist Organization (NTO), Ana Tripković Marković, stated that the task of the NTO is to nurture the image of our country as a desirable tourist destination, stressing that the main activities of the NTO are carried out with representatives of the tourism industry.

Of the numerous activities in the previous year, she singled out the most significant ones, such as the successfully completed procedure for the digital campaign, the largest to date, whose current focus is on the markets of Germany, Great Britain and France. She also highlighted the realization of the campaign with BBC world and TV reach of 12 million people, as well as the Travel show in New York.

When it comes to air accessibility, she pointed out that last year NTO worked on a series of incentive measures, as well as harmonization of the Law on Tourism and Protection of Competitiveness, emphasizing the cooperation with Jet2 holidays.

"We are ready to announce a competition for incentive measures again, but it will all depend on the funds we have at our disposal," said Tripković Marković.

Dragan Popović from TO Montenegro, said that the national air carrier is trying to define flight plans according to important emitting markets in agreement with NTO.

He supported the initiative of travel agencies to enable a short-term visa-free regime for certain countries that are very interesting for the Montenegrin destination and the establishment of charter lines. He points out that additional investment is needed in the national airline, which plans to fly with five planes to 17 destinations this year, and to also develop year-round routes.

The general director of the Air Transport Directorate, Dejan Pižurica, believes that a strategy is needed for this area, which is very important for the development of tourism. The development of the Air Transport Strategy will contribute to a better connection with the tourist markets, and inputs on desired destinations are also welcome from the Chamber of Commerce.

He pointed out the great challenges of competition with the airports in Tirana and Dubrovnik, and that a model is being sought that will attract additional passengers to Podgorica and Tivat in addition to them.

The director of the Airport of Montenegro, Vladan Drašković, said that the function of the airport in the concept of air connectivity is very important, but not omnipotent.

He pointed out that the announcements for this year are optimistic, and that both airports will be connected to around 80 destinations, that is, 40 from each airport.

"Airports in Montenegro are constantly working to strengthen air availability. Last year we had 2,5 million passengers, and when it comes to attracting airlines, operational and price factors are key," said Drašković.

When it comes to the operation of the airport 24/7, he said that it is technically possible for them to operate in that way, but commercially it is not profitable. As he stated, a cost analysis was made and the result would be business with a big loss.

According to him, the country is the destination, not the airports. "The development of a strategic approach is necessary, including the division of investments, equipping the terminal and strengthening the infrastructure," said Drašković.

Speaking about the problem of night landing in Tivat, he said that it is currently impossible due to the lack of infrastructure, and answering the question about giving the airport a concession, he said that the decision will be made after a detailed analysis.