Škrelja: Alabar did not have serious intentions

"Alabar caused us great damage by coming to Ulcinj. It would have been better if he had never appeared here," he said. Prelja Škrelja, president of the Association of Beach Tenants in Ulcinj in an interview for "Vijesti".

He assessed that Arab billionaire Mohamed Alabar did not have serious intentions when he spoke about swimming areas on Velika Plaza, nor now about investments in its hinterland.

In last year's tender of the Public Company for Coastal Zone Management, Alabaro's company "Eagle Hills Montenegro" submitted the highest financial bids for nine beaches on Velika Plaza. During the last season, it gave up on seven because the former tenants agreed to pay the hefty bank guarantees. It recently also handed over the "Imperijal" beach to the former tenant, leaving only the "Tropicana" beach to the company to manage.

After a reckless adventure with the beaches, for which he himself admitted that he was wrong, Alabar turned to possible investments in the hinterland of Velika Plaza and negotiations with property owners in the zone where construction is permitted are still ongoing.

Škrelja said that Alabar had come to Ulcinj several times and talked to locals, but that he had never supported the story with valid documentation, as befits an investor of his reputation.

"He doesn't want to buy, but to take the land for free, for the state to build the infrastructure for him, for him to then establish a joint company in which he will have 51 percent ownership, and for the owners of the property to be shareholders who will participate in the division of profits after 10 or 20 years when something is built there and put into operation. We know that too, we don't need intelligence for that, we have enough. Let the state help us with the infrastructure, the banks will already give us the money to build, and we know that very well," said Škrelja.

He added that the community needs four- or five-star hotels, modern resorts, bungalows, and campsites as soon as possible.

"We need this as soon as possible because tourism is such that it does not tolerate waiting, guests will find facilities that are not available here in other places. Neither I, nor my fellow citizens with whom I am in contact, are any longer interested in stories about gross and net income or profit, their difference, without knowing what the expenses are and what if the company is in the red, and people are left without property and capital. All the best to Alabaru, let him live and work where he learned, and let him leave us alone," said Škrelja.

He recalled that after handing over the bathing areas to the former tenants, Alabaro's company promised to return half of the amount of the bank guarantees collected.

"And she did that, but they also said about the other half of the amount. That is a big burden for tenants because last year the rent for some bathing areas increased by two to three times compared to the previous year," said Škrelja.

Speaking about the upcoming season, Škrelja said that all beaches in Ulcinj will be open for the May Day holidays, as stipulated in the regulations and contracts.

Tenants, he said, are anticipating the upcoming season with a mixture of optimism and pessimism.

"Tourism is such that everything can change overnight, and we are living in turbulent times. In any case, we expect traditional guests from the countries of the region, but we also hope for those from the West. This is still a high-paying clientele and they do not come to us en masse as before the 1990s. However, we believe that we can change that because Ulcinj has remained faithful to its indigenous tradition and recognizable hospitality," he said.

He warned that tenants should not increase prices this season.

"Pricing policy is a sensitive tourism segment. Some tenants made a mistake last year by raising prices too much. They achieved nothing by doing so except having fewer guests. The point is to have as much revenue as possible, even at lower prices, so that we can fulfill our obligations, which are not small," said Škrelja.

He called on everyone who has any connection with the tourism industry to be up to the task in the upcoming season and respond to the challenge.

"We must have passable roads, entrances and approaches, and pay attention to the electricity and water supply networks. I urge everyone to be compact, to welcome tourists properly, and to welcome everyone who comes, so that we all rise to the occasion," said Škrelja.

He claims that tenants of Ulcinj's beaches must have better treatment from the PE and the Ministry of Finance.

"Last year I said that the Ministry of Finance should have access to our balance sheets. For the first time in the last few decades, most of the tenants of the beach on Velika Plaza were in the red, some in the red. The reason is the payment of guarantees to Alabar's company and the multiple increase in rent," he emphasized.

This year, he said, tenants are also facing unplanned costs related to revising existing projects and hiring surveyors.

"For revising projects, we need about 12-13 thousand euros, and we need to pay two to three thousand euros to surveyors for measurements, depending on the work. Also, on the total rental price, this year we have to pay an additional 4 percent for inflation, although according to Monstat it is lower. These are all unnecessary expenses because the state and PE should stimulate and relax us in preparation for the season. Instead of seeing us as partners, as we are, they are burdening us with new taxes. It seems that it is not important when the economy suffers, it is important that the state takes every cent, both where it is needed and where it is not needed," said Škrelja.

Exit's organization must be transparent

Škrelja said that many things regarding the holding of the announced Exit are non-transparent and that this is not in anyone's favor.

"The municipality has not yet concluded an agreement on this, and Exit has already been announced. I don't know why, for what reason and what policy when we don't know where or how. In Budva they know about their festivals, and for God's sake, here it is somewhere on the eastern part of Velika Plaza towards Ada," said Škrelja.

He said that many tenants are calling him and asking about the details.

"They're calling me, they think that as the president of the Association I should know. But I don't know, I have no idea and that intrigues me. That's why I'm asking why I wasn't informed because ultimately I could help in selecting the locations that have the most space for parking, campers, tents...", said Škrelja and said that the public should be informed as soon as possible about all the details regarding the festival.

Labor and noise problems

Problems with the workforce, said Škrelja, are still relevant this season.

"We must provide all the necessary labor, from hygienists to waiters to cooks. Some of them are asking for unrealistically high salaries, but we are forced to hire them, to respect the agreement and all the laws that regulate these relationships," he stressed.

He recalled that in the previous years, as well as several years before, there was a significant noise problem.

"Loud music after one in the morning comes from the beach towards Ada. There are bungalows and other accommodation units there too, guests complain, leave... We have to be careful because the most important thing is when our guests leave satisfied," he said.