HTP "Ulcinjska rivijera" is in a difficult situation with a potential debt of nearly a million euros, but despite this, the newly elected director Armend Mila is announcing ambitious plans for a nudist resort on Ada that the company manages.
"The path we have embarked on as a management team, for me as the newly appointed director, Besmir Murati as the Chairman of the Board, the members of the Board, the environmental advisor Bojan Ćetković, as well as for all employees of this company, represents a great challenge, but also an opportunity to show that 'We can'," said Mila in an interview with "Vijesti".
Mila is a Force official and replaced Ćamil Hoxha from URA in that position. Mila claims that his predecessor is not responsible for the difficult situation the company is in.
"Due to poor management over the past years, not including the former management led by Director Hoxha, HTP 'Ulcinjska rivijera' is in a difficult financial situation, with significant debts."
He praised the previous management led by Hoxha, despite "leaving the company in a bad financial situation", because it "wasn't because of him".
"The company has been collapsing over the last 10-15 years due to poor and inappropriate management."
Mila stated that "Ulcinjska Rivijera" owes 300 thousand euros on the basis of a revolving loan with a bank, which must be repaid within a year, then 110 thousand euros, which is a long-term loan with the same bank, 144 thousand euros to suppliers, 120 thousand euros for unpaid wages to employees and potentially 300 thousand euros for possible legal costs with former employees due to unpaid overtime and unused vacation, which is a total of 974 thousand euros.
He also reminded that the Government should pay 600 thousand euros to "Ulcinj Riviera", forcibly collected from minority shareholders.
"Our plan for the transformation of the 'Ulcinj Riviera' and Ada Bojana cannot be realized without the support of the Government of Montenegro. Therefore, we appeal to everyone who can contribute, from the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, MPs, state secretaries and other officials, to help return 600 thousand euros, as well as support long-term investments. Only by working together can we turn the Ulcinj Riviera into a success story."
In 2017, the government decided to lease certain facilities of the “Ulcinj Riviera”, including the “Bellevue” and “Olympic” hotels, as well as associated facilities such as the “Bellevue” Tennis Club. This process was met with opposition from some smaller shareholders, who demanded that the state buy their shares at a market value of 10,48 euros per share. Out of a total of 44 shareholders, 43 were paid out in a short period of time, while the Atlas Mont Fund was unable to complete the sale due to financial problems and blocked accounts.
"Later, the rights to Atlas Mont were transferred to the company 'Quantum' from Podgorica, and this process led to the blocking of the 'Ulcinjska Riviera' account in November 2024, in the amount of 600 thousand euros. The Government should return that money to our company," said Mila.
Ramp, sports fields, beach bar, villa renovation
He stated that, despite the challenges, the management is committed to making this year's season successful and laying the foundation for a true revival of the company and Ada.
"We are starting with investments in sports infrastructure. The Ministry of Sports and Youth has promised 50.000 euros for the renovation of sports fields. For this, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the Minister of Sports and Youth, Dragoslav Šćekić. The project is in preparation and will include the renovation of two tennis courts with red clay and two multifunctional courts for volleyball, five-a-side football and basketball," said Mila.
He announced the installation of a digital ramp at the entrance to the nudist settlement, which will serve as a filtering and protection system for visitors, and payment will be by the hour, according to the parking system.
“We will build a 140-square-meter beach bar near the mouth of the Bojana River that will serve as a bar for Ada guests, as well as other visitors. It will feature deck chairs and canopies for maximum comfort. We are also planning to renovate the accommodation facilities and renovate the roofs of the two main buildings, in order to solve the moisture problems. We will completely renovate 10 luxury villas, including new equipment for the rooms and bathrooms, and partially renovate an additional 10, with new furniture for the rooms.”
When it comes to long-term plans, Mila said that the goal of the new management is to bring the resort on Ada to a four-star level and increase its capacity from 550 to 900 beds.
"To this end, we will develop a clear business plan for the development of the complex, prepare the MEO test, i.e. the analysis required by the European Union to assess state intervention in public enterprises. The plan also includes the renovation of existing capacities and the construction of new facilities in neglected parts of the complex, as well as the extension of the tourist season through the organization of attractive events and festivals."
Mila announced that the "May Fest" is scheduled for early May on Ada.
"The festival will be organized for the first time on Ada, thanks to the cooperation with the owners of the "Otrant" hotel, as well as the Bamboo team Arian Henci and Donat Henci. This will be just the beginning of a series of events aimed at making Ada Bojana an active destination outside the summer season."
"Neptune" and "Barbana"
When asked under what conditions and to whom the "Neptun" auto camp and the "Barbana" restaurant were leased, Mila said that these were decisions made by the previous management and that he agreed with them.
"The lease agreement for 'Neptun' was concluded on 25. 4. 2024 in Ucinj between HTP 'Ucinska Rivijera' and Špen Goran from Ucinj. The camp in question is 'Neptun'. The land area is 72.201 square meters. It was a camp within the 'Ucinjska Riviera' and it functioned really well, but unfortunately nothing was done for 10-15 years and then it became a large forest... The contracting parties agreed to set the lease in the amount of 15.000 euros including VAT on an annual basis."
When it comes to "Barbana", he stated that there are several annexes to the contract. The first contract was concluded in 2022, and two annexes followed.
“The lease agreement was concluded on 4. 3. 2022 between HTP 'Ucinska Riviera'... and the company 'Buena' doo... The lessor granted the lessee the use of the 'Barbana' restaurant in as-is condition for a period of one year. The lease price was 13.500 euros including VAT. After that, we have an annex to the contract that was on 4. 3. 2023. The contracting parties agreed on a lease for another five years from the basic contract. After that, annex two of 12. 06. 2024 confirms the right to lease until 2031. The price was increased to 18 thousand euros”.
Mila also stated that the camp and restaurant were in a very neglected condition.
"Starting with the 'Barbana' restaurant... the facility was not rented out, it was not in operation, no one worked there and it was constantly collapsing. The facility has been renovated, but it is still called 'Barbana'. We can say that it is a beautiful corner that is visited not only by our guests but also by many other visitors and lovers of the river and the island."
He recalled that the "Neptun" camp became a ruin after the brilliant 1980s and 1990s.
"The camp was in really bad shape. There's no electricity, no water, nothing, the transformer station was stolen and that's how it was before the tenants showed up. I really don't know how much they'll be able to develop the business. I'd like them to succeed because that's how the 'Ulcinj Riviera' benefits."
64 workers are permanently employed, at least 40 seasonal workers are needed in the summer
"Ulcinj Riviera" has 64 full-time employees, several of whom are eligible for retirement.
"We'll see, it's important that this season succeeds. That's why we'll probably hire some of them on temporary contracts until the end of the season because they're experienced workers. We'll try to be good hosts because these are people who have been working for 40 years and their contribution to the development of the company will never be forgotten. Of course, we'll also bring in young people to learn the job with them this summer, to pass on their experience so that we can take the company to an even higher level in the future," said Mila.
He stated that it is the practice for "Ulcinj Riviera" to hire around 40 seasonal workers during the season, but that this year the number may be slightly higher.
He believes in the capacity of the head of the Ulcinj Democrats
Mila emphasized that he has not yet managed to complete his team of associates, except for Bojan Ćetković, whom he appointed as an environmental advisor.
Mila explains why he chose the head of the Ulcinj Democrats.
"Because I believe that his capacity can push the story forward regarding the problems we face, starting with beach nourishment, communication with the Government, with the relevant institutions and with the ministries. So he also contributes greatly to that. At the moment, it is a short-term contract, it is not a permanent contract, so I think there will be progress on that issue as well. And as for other collaborators, that will also be, of course, you will be informed in a timely manner."
Bonus video:
