Due to the crisis in the Middle East, the tourist season in Montenegro could be good, although, as businessmen say, there has been a lack of concrete and coordinated measures to attract tourists who are choosing safer destinations this year.
After five years, from June 1st, the once exclusive summer resort and pride of Montenegro's tourist offer - "Sveti Stefan" should be ready for guests.
"Saint" is preparing for the elite, the opposition calls the prosecutor's office
Villa Miločer, near Sveti Stefan, will open on May 21st, on the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence, while the island, which has been empty for five years, will open in phases.
The lock was placed after the lessee, Adriatic Properties, and the government could not agree on the terms and conditions for using the island and beaches for all tourists, not just hotel guests. In 2021, arbitration proceedings were initiated in London, which recently ended in a settlement.
"With this move, the Government, led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, eliminates the risk of paying potential damages in the amount of over 100 million euros, and the new proposed solution increases the amount of income, or rent, received by the companies HTP Miločer and Sveti Stefan hotels. A novelty and a very important item for all citizens of Montenegro is that, with the proposed solution, the state will have an annual share in the profit in the amount of 10 percent," the Government stated, adding that there will be no additional construction in Miločer Park.
On the other hand, the vice president of the opposition URE, Blažo Radjenović, called on the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) and the Protector of Property Relations of Montenegro to urgently intervene in order to prevent damage to the state and, as he claims, "a potentially corrupt business by the Government and other accomplices in the Sveti Stefan case." He recalls that the current Minister of Economic Development, Nik Đeljošaj, previously said that the conditions had been met for the contract with the tenant to be terminated and the Sveti Stefan hotel to be returned to the state for management.
Montenegro is safe, roads are the biggest challenge
Due to insufficiently concrete and coordinated measures to attract tourists who, due to the war in the Middle East, want a safe vacation destination, expectations for the tourist season in Montenegro are "moderately positive," Dragan Ivančević, a member of the Tourism Committee of the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce and owner of a travel agency, told DW.
"Unlike neighboring countries, such as Albania and Croatia, which reacted quickly and are actively cooperating with tour operators and airlines on operational actions, Montenegro has not seized the opportunity to significantly increase the number of tourists," says Ivančević. He adds that the number of guests would increase if cooperation with relevant partners in European markets were established and targeted measures were taken to support the economy.
He also reminds us of old grievances: "Unfortunately, this year we did not enter the season with roads and overall communal equipment completed," says Ivančević.
"Montenegro still has a chance to position itself as a safe and attractive destination for European tourists who have given up on arrangements in Middle Eastern countries," says Minister of Tourism Simonida Kordić, adding that Montenegro's position is being improved by the introduction of new airlines, the Sea Dance and Exit festivals, as well as the opening of Sveti Stefan.
Ulcinj caterers expect more tourists, invite Germans to return
The "Ada Bojana" tourist complex in Ulcinj is welcoming its first large group of guests for the May Day holidays. The director of the "Ulcinj Riviera" company, Armend Mila, sees this as an introduction to a good season.
"Finally, the wheel of development for Ada Bojana has started, and this is also seen by guests who have been visiting Ada for years. We have opened the Dutch market, which, unlike previous years, has direct flights to Podgorica and Tivat. We expect a 25 percent increase in revenue compared to 2025, and to date we have 46 percent more reservations than last year," Mila said in a statement to DW.
Foreign tourists accounted for 95,8 percent of the total number of overnight stays in Montenegro last year, with the largest number coming from Serbia, Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the other hand, previously very popular guests from Germany accounted for only one in twenty foreign tourists in Montenegro in 2025.
"There used to be a lot of guests from Germany who enjoyed spending their holidays in Ulcinj. They were attracted by the sun, the sea, the clean nature and the hospitality of the hosts. I invite them to come and enjoy swimming, water sports, walks through the Old Town and traditional food. Although everything depends on the situation in the Middle East, I hope that the season will be good," Agim Gimo Nimanbegović, a long-time Ulcinj restaurateur, told DW.
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