The National Parks of Montenegro (NPCG) are increasingly becoming an important development factor, asserting themselves as a recognizable Montenegrin brand, the public company said.
In order to promote the natural and cultural sights of five Montenegrin national parks and their tourist offer, as well as to exchange experiences and ideas with representatives of the diplomatic corps in Montenegro, NPCG organized a promotional activity called Walking with Ambassadors.
Director of NPCG, Elvir Klica, said that the goal of the activity is to introduce the guests to the values and beauties, as well as to exchange ideas and experiences during the two-hour boat ride when it comes to the management of protected areas in other countries.
He added that, thanks to their potential, NPCG is increasingly becoming an important development factor, asserting itself as a recognizable Montenegrin brand.
"In addition to being significant for their natural and cultural-historical values, NPCGs are also generators of the development of the municipalities and local communities to which they belong. The system of protected areas makes a significant contribution to the national economy, making up a large share of the national tourism economy as the fastest growing," said Klica.
As he said, what gives special results is the integration of the tourist offer of the Adriatic coast and NPCG in cooperation with the entire tourism industry and travel agencies.
"Montenegro's national parks already play a very important role in the development of tourism in our country, and that role will become greater in the near future. "We are happy that the predictions for this year are that the national parks of Montenegro will attract more than half a million visitors," said Klica.
He added that protected areas also face new challenges in the process of joining the European Union. NATURA 2000 is one of those challenges and, as he said, NPCG is working hard to find the best possible solution for these new obligations.
"I believe that we will find a good solution for this, because we have experienced experts and it is only a matter of organization and financing." We will do everything in our power to fulfill the tasks given to Montenegro in the very challenging Chapter 27", said Klica.
Ivana Vojinović, director of the Environment Directorate at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, said that the event also has an educational character.
"We had the opportunity to hear more about the natural and ecological features of this park. The participants of the event got acquainted with the historical and cultural values and legacy of this area", she stated.
Head of the Cooperation Sector of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, Herman Špic, stated that the extraordinary natural beauty is the reason for the arrival of a large number of tourists in Montenegro.
"NPCG have a key role in the protection and preservation of natural beauty. In order for Montenegro to comply with EU requirements in terms of harmonizing the legal regulations of the European acquis, when it comes to Chapter 27, we are currently in negotiations with the Government of Montenegro on these issues," said Špic.
This, he said, also includes the mapping of sensitive areas within the Natura 2000 concept.
Ambassador of Croatia in Montenegro Veselko Grubišić pointed out that Montenegrin and Croatian national parks cooperate well. He added that the increase in the price of tickets to Croatian national parks did not affect the number of visits to those protected areas.
"In some national parks, we had to limit the number of visitors to ensure self-sustainability, because we have to preserve the parks now for generations to come. Entrance to Krka National Park is 25 euros, but last year there were almost one and a half million visits," he said.
During the two-hour cruise on the Lake, guests had the opportunity to see the Grmožur-Lesendro-Rijeka Crnojevića, and get information about the natural values and biodiversity of the area.
They said that they were delighted with the beauty and diversity of the landscape of NP Skadarsko jezero, and after the cruise they had the opportunity to visit the Visitor Center in Vranjina.
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