Despite the expectations of the authorities that the season will be a record, Ulcinj is, at least for now, far from the impressive numbers and crowds that would have pushed last year's comparative period into oblivion.
This is evidenced by city boulevards and streets, beaches and cafes, restaurants and boutiques...
With the better weather, the first significant groups of tourists arrived, so despite the bad second half of May, visits in the pre-season are at the expected level.
At least that's what officials claim, while private individuals warn that it's worse than last year.
"It's not even close to last year," says the owner of Kopakabana, Prelja Škrelja.
According to tradition, the most guests are at the Pier and in the Old Town, but for now it's all at last year's level.
"They are mostly guests who stay for two or three days. Even the rainy weather did not help us", says Ismet Karamanaga from Stari Grad.
And in the Tourist Organization, where they expect a hot summer, they say that the season is at the same level as last year, although according to applications, there are 30 percent more tourists.
"It's because of the organized tours. Guests who are passing through but staying in our city must now register, even if only for one night. Otherwise, the field shows that the season is at last year's level", said TO director Fuad Hadžibeti.
He expects a larger number of guests, especially from Germany and Bosnia.
Five info-points were opened and Hadžibeti announced the opening of three more - in Sukobin, Kruče and Pinješ.
"During the presentation of the offer at the fairs, we had no significant objections. Only potential tourists from Bosnia warned about the bad road from Šćepan Polje", said Hadžibeti.
TO will organize the South festival on Velika plaža at the end of June, the Balkan dance festival on Safari in early August and the Dolcininum international festival in September, the Beach polo tournament and the Pro beach socker.
During May, two student events and a Green Culture Fest were organized in the hotels of the Ulcinj Riviera, where tennis players, a study group of journalists from Serbia, two larger groups from the Vita Tours agency from Prizren and guests from the agencies Obena, Surf& Action, ITS, Kontiki and Panorama were staying.
Last weekend, the meetings between medical workers of Montenegro and PTT ended.
HTP Ulcinj Riviera hotels have been open since the last Sunday of April.
"We expect a good summer season. In accordance with the contracted work, the majority of Czech tourists will stay in our facilities this summer as well. Last year, they accounted for more than half of the total number of overnight stays. This year we expect more guests from Serbia and Bosnia", the hotelier from Ulcinj told "Vijesti".
The prices remained the same as in previous years, so half-board in the pre-season costs from 22 euros, in the peak season in hotels on the Velika beach from 31 euros, and on Ada Bojana from 37.
In contrast to the inner city core, restaurateurs, traders and lessors in Đerane on Velika plaža do not have much reason for optimism.
The deserted streets and the locked doors of most of the buildings on the stretch from the roundabout, over the old bridge to the intersection for Ada and towards the small pier on Cape Đerane, testify that the pre-season is very late.
The deserted street leading to the pier on Cape Đerane and the abandoned saline canal without water do not seem encouraging to Veb Kurtović.
"Before, we had at least foreigners in this period. Not even them now," says Kurtović.
He has not yet opened the bar, although there are only fifteen days until the beginning of summer.
"For whom, you can see for yourself that everything is deserted".
Solana could be a hit
Hadžibeti said that Solana could be a hit during the upcoming season.
"We will have it in our offer, we are still negotiating the model. Six young people have been trained by the Center for the Study and Protection of Birds, so we have guides. We will see more, but it is certainly something that can satisfy even the most demanding requests of guests," said Hadžibeti.
They expect the season after the end of Ramadan
The owner of a beautiful building in Port Milena agrees with Web. "Every year it is less and less. Well, three years ago I had a lot of Russians and everyone thought I had a good season. Few knew that it was not even half of the one before. That's how it was last year, and there are opportunities, the trend will continue this year as well," says Milan.
However, he points out that he believes that the season will start only after Ramadan, which began yesterday and lasts for 30 days.
"The season will be a month, maybe a little more, but is that enough to make money for the whole year," says Vebo.
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