In the Nature Park (PP) "Piva" this year's tourist season in the municipality of Plužine is evaluated as one of the most successful, and the number of overnight stays and visits showed a growth trend compared to 2023.
"Until October 31, 15.928 overnight stays were registered on the territory of the municipality of Plužine, which represents an increase of 134,79 percent compared to 2023. The reasons for the drastic increase in the number of overnight stays are partly of a technical nature, given that the 'Piva' Nature Park, with the help of the National Tourist Organization, provided a free application for guest registration and 75 accommodation service providers took advantage of this opportunity", the director of PP "Piva" told "Vijesta" Ivan Doderovic.
However, according to him, despite the simplified procedure for registering guests, they believe that this year there were unregistered overnight stays, about 60 percent, and that the actual number of overnight stays was much higher.
"We hope that the inspection services responsible for this area will be more up-to-date and rigorous in the future. They are looking forward to the announcement of changes in the legislation from the Ministry of Tourism that failure to register guests will be a criminal offence. The official number of overnight stays is not final, as we are waiting for reconciliation with data from the Police Department and landlords. Better indicators already this year, and whose growth we expect in the future, will contribute to the positioning of Piva as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Montenegro, and the figures from previous seasons did not work in our favor", pointed out Doderović.
This year, there was an increase in the number of visitors to PP "Piva" compared to last year, by almost 54,5 percent. Based on the records of tickets sold, the Nature Park was visited by 30 guests.
"The highest number of entries into the PP was registered for rafting in Šćepan Polje, 21.169, which is an increase of 35,37 percent compared to 2023. Although the majority of rafting service providers from Montenegro who operate in Šćepan Polje are dissatisfied with the previous season, according to which season was worse by 20 percent, there was an increase in the number of visits to Šćepan Polje, which can be partly attributed to the increase in the number of rafting arrivals from from other countries, who use Brštanovica in our Nature Park as a starting point for rafting," said Doderović.
The reasons for the successful tourist season, he believes, can be found in the private initiative, with regard to the increase in accommodation capacity in the municipality of Pi and the expansion of cruises on Lake Piva, which was one of the tourist products that tourists were most interested in. Zip lines, kayaking, cycling, hiking, horse riding, quad biking, visiting the Durmitor Ring, the beach on Lake Piva, a rich gastronomic offer also attracted attention... Favorable weather conditions and the high water level of Lake Piva also contributed to the successful summer tourist season.
"Organizations of events have attracted a large number of visitors, above all the music event 'Beer Story', which has brought numerous benefits to the local community, and we are in the process of obtaining concrete data regarding these benefits. The new tourist product, via ferrata on Piva, is already attracting the interest of tourists and we hope that it will be available to visitors throughout the year, depending on the weather conditions", said the director of PP "Piva".
What they lack is a hotel, and the owner has not started the reconstruction of the existing one, which has been closed for years, despite certain announcements that it could happen this year.
"There is a fear that the further increase in prices, which was already felt in the tourism sector this year, could have a negative impact on the upcoming tourist seasons. The expansion of tourism and the better standard of living of our fellow citizens in this regard, did not have a positive effect on the demographic picture in the municipality of Plužine, perhaps even on the contrary".
Between the two censuses, 2011 and 2023, the municipality of Plužine was left without a little more than a thousand inhabitants, which is the biggest drop in the number of inhabitants in any municipality in Montenegro, and the population of Plužine is also the oldest in this census with an average age of 47,32 year.
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