Montenegrin swimming pools have become brands in the past few years, and during tenders for leasing them, points should be used to protect tenants who have contributed to it by investing, it was assessed at the session of the Tourism and Hospitality Association Board of the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG).
The President of the Board, Ranko Jovović, emphasized the importance of conducting tender procedures for the lease of parts of the marine property for the successful development of the summer season.
As reported by the PKCG, he recalled that back in February the Board pointed out the need to form a working group which, through the cooperation of the authorities with the economy, will objectively look at the situation and find the best solutions for the benefit of the state and the tenants of the beaches.
The Director of the Public Enterprise for the Management of the Marine Property, Mladen Mikijelj, said that he expects the tender for the lease of bathing areas and temporary facilities in the marine property zone to be announced in January.
The goal, according to him, is for the tender to include all interested parties who should have equal chances for a lease, but also to acknowledge that the swimming pools were conscientiously managed in the previous period.
"Acknowledging that in the previous period the tenant invested in swimming pools, we proposed that tenants whose swimming pools do not have a blue flag have an advantage of 20 percent compared to potential new ones, and with a blue flag it would be up to 50 percent. We think this is a significant advantage. However, this is only a proposal, and the final decision will be made by the Government", said Mikijelj.
He invited PKCG and local governments to give their position on this issue.
The representative of the departmental Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property, Nikola Ražnatović, said that a new atlas of Montenegrin bathing areas was prepared in preparation for the tender.
"57 new bathing areas have been recognized. There are 13 in Herceg Novi, five in Kotor, eight in Tivat, 15 in Budva, six in Ulcinj and ten in Bar," Ražnatović said.
Businessmen believe that businessmen should have been included in the mentioned working group, and that Morski Dobr's position is not acceptable, but that the existing tenants should be additionally favored.
Nikola Perišić from the Tenants' Association pointed out that the new tenants of the swimming pool will receive brands and that it is necessary to respect the businessmen who created them.
Albert Kastrati from Adriatica Brothers questioned the fact that the participants in the upcoming tender will be obliged to provide bank guarantees for the amount offered, while Snežana Pekić referred to the need for a different demarcation of the Maljevik location from the protected area of the Katič nature park.
Igor Vujošević from Nemesys believes that it is necessary to deviate from the 50:50 approach to dividing beaches and suggests that each municipality has one public beach or that a way be found in which the local population would have access to all beaches, through applications, barcodes, coupons.
"Leased beaches could more accurately project state revenues and more precise control so that revenues are not wasted," Vujošević said.
During the further discussion, the businessmen concluded that 12,5 points of advantage is insufficient for previous tenants and that 25 points plus that much for the blue flag is the minimum that can be accepted.
Speaking about preparations for the 2024/2025 winter season, Jovović stated that ski resorts still depend on weather conditions, and that investment in infrastructure, including systems for artificial snowmaking, is urgently needed.
He also emphasized the importance of close cooperation between institutions and the tourism industry, in order to ensure the stability of the sector, improve the quality of the offer and create a unique tourism development strategy.
"The synergy of all participants in the tourism sector is key to achieving successful and competitive tourist seasons in the future," said Jovović.
The head of the Directorate for Investments and Promotion in the Tourism Economy, Olivera Blagojević, pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism for the first time managed to secure its own budget funds and allocated the amount of 182 thousand euros for the initial phase of artificial snowmaking at the Savin Kuk ski and tourist center on Durmitor.
When it comes to Kolašin, although the project is feasible, additional steps are planned so that the snowmaking is ready for the next season.
"From the very establishment of the Ministry of Tourism, the improvement of the infrastructure was thought about, and the activities have already started with the engagement of an expert team that carried out an examination of the terrain both at the state ski resort Kolašin 1600 and at Savina kuk", said Blagojević.
She added that the start-up of the cable car will not be allowed if safety is not fully guaranteed and informed that the snow-making pole and the retaining wall on which it rests have been carefully inspected to ensure maximum stability.
Finally, she said that the Ministry of Tourism is intensively considering incentive measures that will further improve the work of ski centers and support the development of winter tourism.
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