There is still construction going on, but everything smells like summer: Tourism workers in Ulcinj are satisfied with the visit, expecting a good season

Although construction and municipal infrastructure work are still being carried out in some parts of the city, everything in Ulcinj still smells like the season.

According to official data from the local Tourism Organization as of Thursday, close to 6.000 tourists have been registered, of which almost 5.500 are foreign.

However, according to estimates from tourism professionals, the number of guests in the southernmost Montenegrin city is many times higher.

"There are at least 15.000 tourists staying in the city, and it shows. The difference between official data and the actual situation on the ground is the result of not registering their stay, because many people from the countries of the region have apartments, houses or weekend houses here and they think that this is not an obligation for them," said the president of the Ulcinj Beach Tenants Association. Prelja Škrelja, the tenant of “Copacabana” on Velika Plaza.

Both he and his colleagues expect a good season:

"We at 'Copacabana', but also all other beach tenants both on Velika Plaza and in the city, are ready to welcome the season. Despite significant investments, prices have mostly remained at last year's level, and that is good news," said Škrelja.

The Monte Latino festival will also be held on that beach from June 12th to 14th, with participants from all over Europe.

They expect a good upcoming season in the nudist resort on Ada, and they have a clear reason for that - so far, as they claim, the complex has recorded a 15 percent increase in attendance compared to last year, overnight stays are up 18 percent, and revenues are up almost 40 percent.

"Last season on Ada, which was 30 percent better than the previous one by all parameters, is the best in the post-transition period. This year we are aiming for a better season by the same number of percent compared to the record, and if you know the day by the morning, we will succeed in that," he said recently. Armand Mila, executive director of "Ulcinj Riviera", which manages the settlement on Ada.

They are also expecting a better season at the famous beach resort "Saranda" on Velika Plaza, where the beach restaurant is open year-round.

"So far, it's much better than last year. We are satisfied with the visit, but not with the road to our beach. We appeal to the authorities to urgently repair the road from Miami Beach, which is full of potholes," said the tenant of "Saranda" Halil Truma.

Prices are at last year's level both on the beach and in the restaurant, Truma pointed out.

At Pristan, the number of visitors is at the same level as last year. Owner of the “Plaža” hotel Cano Karamanaga He said that the road infrastructure in that part of the city is not yet fully completed and that half of the lighting on the promenade is not working. He called on local authorities to urgently complete the work on the road and restore the lighting.

"The announcements so far are not at the level of last year, but everything indicates that it will be better and that the season will be good," said Karamanaga.

After unstable weather in May, the Old Town has come alive these days.

"There was a lot of rain in May and the terraces were not open. For several days now, there have been more tourists on the streets and in restaurants," said the owner of the "Teuta" restaurant. To Shazi Nimanbeg.

Vendors at the Green Market in Ulcinj confirmed to "Vijesti" that the season is heating up.

"Today's market was better than the previous one. There are a lot more new faces," he said. Ramo Metanović, which offers olive products at the Ulcinj Green Market.

The increased influx of guests in recent days is evidenced by the crowds in markets, bakeries, butchers...

All the larger hotels and hotel complexes in the city are ready to welcome guests - "Azul", "Otrant", "Mediteran", "Albatros", "Ada Bojana", "Velika plaža", campsites and resorts...