The elimination of infrastructure problems, including water supply, rehabilitation of the K7 cable car and construction of garages, are key to the further development of Kolašin as a tourist destination, it was assessed at a meeting of the Board of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG).
The President of the Committee, Ranko Jovović, said that a comprehensive tourist offer implies extending the season while simultaneously providing a development impulse to the northern region.
"Montenegro must be recognized as a destination that has something to offer lovers of active holidays in the winter months, and the Municipality of Kolašin, which is recording significant growth in investments in the hotel sector, gets the chance to be a 365-day tourist and congress center," said Jovović at the session held at the Bianca Hotel.
As announced by the PKCG, he presented data from the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) showing that estimated tourism revenues for the first and second quarters amount to 427,63 million euros, which is 1,6 percent lower than the same period last year, or 5,6 percent lower than in 2023.
"Only two coastal municipalities recorded an increase in the number of overnight stays - Bar with 1,4 percent and Kotor with one percent, while Budva recorded a decrease of 1,4 percent, Tivat with 1,5 percent, Ulcinj with 5,4 percent and Herceg Novi with 3,8 percent," Jovović specified.
He stated that in the same period from January to August, mountain resorts recorded an increase in overnight stays in collective accommodation by 100%. During the first eight months, the number of visitors to national parks increased by 32 percent, and revenues by 30 percent, so it can be concluded that there is an increasing interest among tourists in the northern region and protected areas of Montenegro.
The Vice President of the Municipality of Kolašin, Vasilije Ivanović, said that the municipality has the will to be a reliable partner in the development of the economy and tourism offer of Kolašin.
"Multimillion-dollar projects are being implemented in Kolašin that are important for the tourism industry, including the construction of a street leading to the gondola, as well as a sports zone with a football field and an athletics track, two volleyball and tennis courts, a multifunctional hall with a swimming pool and a balloon hall, which we believe will put Kolašin back on the map of cities suitable for sports preparations and competitions," said Ivanović.
He also listed infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a gondola from the city to the Kolašin 1600 ski resort, a project worth 60 million euros that will significantly relieve traffic in the municipality, as well as the creation of reservoirs for artificial snowmaking.
"These are all facilities that will launch Kolašin into the top of cities with a year-round tourist offer and complement the hotel offer," said Ivanović.
The Director of the Tourist Organization (TO) of Kolašin, Zorica Milašinović, emphasized that Kolašin is one of the most promising mountain centers in Montenegro, attractive for year-round tourism.
According to her, the summer season was very successful, with an increase in the number of tourists compared to the previous year. During the summer, a large number of events, concerts, sports and children's activities, workshops and festivals were organized.
"Kolašin is ready for the winter season and we expect even greater success," said Milašinović.
The Director of the National Parks of Montenegro, Marinela Đuretić, pointed out that all national parks have recorded an increase in the number of visitors, especially Durmitor by 29 percent and Biogradska gora by six percent, which shows a stable growth trend.
She reminded that a new decision on fees for national parks is being prepared.
"National parks are the key to sustainable tourism in Montenegro, but additional investments are needed to make natural resources better valued and accessible to visitors," said Đuretić.
Olivera Blagojević from the Ministry of Tourism emphasized the importance of infrastructure projects, especially water supply to Kolašin, and activities for the winter season, including artificial snowmaking and the opening of a snowboard slope on Savin Kuk.
According to her, 44,81 thousand tourists were registered by October 2, which represents a nine percent increase compared to last year, and the post-season has started successfully.
"Mountain resorts must offer a year-round offer, not just skiing. Our priority is that guests and hoteliers always have a safe water supply and quality infrastructure," Blagojević emphasized and announced that a Tourist Information System will be established next year.
Amel Dedić from the National Tourism Organization (NTO) presented an application for monitoring private accommodation in real time, and spoke about future promotional activities that include regional and digital campaigns, participation in international fairs, including WTM in London, which strengthens the international visibility of the destination.
Businessmen stressed the importance of resolving infrastructure issues, including water supply, rehabilitation of the K7 cable car and construction of garages, to enable unhindered access to tourist facilities. According to them, eliminating these problems is crucial for the further development of Kolašin as a tourist destination.
Marko Čanović from the Wulfenija Hotel said that they have not made any progress in resolving long-standing problems.
"We are ready to help remove them and contribute to Kolašin moving forward as a tourist destination," added Čanović.
According to Nebojša Jakšić from Swiss Hotel, we face the same problems in the new tourist season.
"It is very difficult to maintain hotel liquidity with all these problems," Jakšić believes.
Ivanovic announced that the water supply problem will be solved next year and called on businessmen to jointly create a Kolasin Economic Council that will continuously contribute to solving the aforementioned and other challenges.
The director of the Kolašin 1600 Ski Resort, Bojan Medenica, said that the ski centers in Kolašin are the axis of the development of the entire city.
"Ski centers must have a unified ski pass. We will introduce a machine in the city to sell ski passes, which will reduce the lines to obtain them. A way must be found for artificial snow. Without state help, we cannot be confident in solving infrastructure problems and starting the season on December 1," believes Medenica.
Nikola Milić from Casa del Mare emphasized that resolving the garage and water supply issues is of key importance for the upcoming winter season, and that timely repair of the road from the tunnel to the city would significantly facilitate access to the ski resort.
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