Minister of Tourism Simonida Kordić said that, in parallel with the development of the tourist offer, it is equally important to invest efforts in preserving resources.
She is participating in the “14th Annual Investment Meeting 2025 – AIM Congress” in Abu Dhabi, where she spoke at the Ministerial Roundtable on “Shaping Investment Opportunities in Tourism through Innovation Policies”.
The AIM Congress, as announced by the Ministry of Tourism, is the world's leading investment platform, with more than 20 thousand participants from 180 countries.
Addressing the gathering, Kordić stated that market analyses clearly show that tourism has changed drastically, and with it the tastes in the tourism sector itself and the time that tourists spend in one place: "This was especially evident during and after the COVID pandemic, and it taught us that we must turn to new trends and create policies in a way that we can keep up with all these changes, while also managing tourism growth."
She said that, in the context of Montenegro, the changes relate to the development of high-quality tourism.
"Modern tourists are increasingly looking for authentic experiences, both in terms of natural beauty, lifestyle and cultural heritage. This is not specific only to our country, but also to the UAE, which recognizes these changes. What was traditionally considered a cultural tourism package, tourists now want to experience in a completely different way. In parallel with the development of the tourist offer, it is equally important to invest efforts in preserving resources. We must achieve a balance that will enable the preservation of nature, while at the same time making it accessible to everyone. The keyword of our policy remains sustainability," the minister said.
She said that the Ministry of Tourism, through a program to encourage energy efficiency, has actively supported the use of renewable energy sources, "thus contributing to sustainable development and environmental preservation, taking into account the economic sustainability of this industry."
"Our current focus is the development of rural tourism, which is not only aimed at direct investments, but also at the active involvement of the local population, in order to create an authentic and attractive, diversified tourism product. Of course, we do not neglect the traditionally desirable luxury resorts, hotels and high-class accommodations. On the contrary - renowned hotel brands are present in Montenegro, which has positioned us in the luxury tourism market," Kordić pointed out.
AIM Congress President and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zejodi stressed that this event will provide a key platform for the international community to come together, devise innovative investment strategies, and build a framework that ensures sustainable and inclusive growth for all.
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