The spectacle in Bečići will be free: expected income from the "Sea Dance" festival is at least 25 million

The Municipality of Budva will pay one million euros for the organization of a major music spectacle - the Sea Dance Festival, which is returning to the tourism metropolis after three years, and there will be no admission fee to the spectacle.

This was confirmed to "Vijesti" by the office of the President of the Municipality of Budva. Nikola Jovanović.

The festival, which was originally organized at the beginning of the summer on Jaz beach, was then moved to Buljarica by the decision of the city fathers, with the date set for the end of the summer, as confirmed to "Vijesti", this year will be held in Bečići.

The event will take place at the end of August, beginning of September, and both the municipality and the festival organizers confirmed to "Vijesti" that there will be no charge for tickets, except for VIP tickets.

The organizers expect over 100.000 visitors over the three days of the festival, and probably more. In addition to the three main festival nights, several smaller events will be organized in the run-up to the festival, so that the total duration of the program will be seven days, with the aim of maximizing tourist arrivals and the number of overnight stays. Of the announced minimum of 210.000 overnight stays, at least two-thirds will be realized in Budva, with an expected income for the local tourism industry of at least 25 million euros, and probably significantly more.

Jovanović made sure that the city coffers had enough money to hold glamorous events. It was he who submitted an amendment to this year's budget, requesting that as much as 3,6 million euros be allocated from the city coffers for this year's events, which the councilors accepted.

Originally, 1,6 million euros were planned, and on December 31st last year, at the local parliament session, when the budget decision was on the agenda, Jovanović submitted an amendment to increase the amount by another two million euros, which was approved by 18 councilors (Budva naš grad, DPS, PzP and PES).

"The aforementioned funds in the amount of 2.000.000 euros represent a necessary and strategically important investment in the further development and improvement of the tourist offer of the city of Budva. The planned funds will be directed to the organization of numerous cultural, entertainment and sports events, the primary goal of which is to extend the tourist season, increase the number of visits in the pre- and post-season period, as well as additional diversification of the city's tourist product. All future events will be implemented in close cooperation with the Budva Tourist Organization, as well as with relevant entities of the city's tourism industry, thus ensuring a synergistic approach, rational use of funds and maximum effect of the investments made. Special emphasis will be placed on events that have the potential to attract different target groups of tourists, improve the image of Budva as a year-round destination and contribute to a more balanced development of the local economy," Jovanović told "Vijesti" at the time.

He emphasized that the investment of 3,6 million euros will enable better valorization of all the tourism potential of the city of Budva, including cultural and historical heritage, sports infrastructure and modern facilities.

"While at the same time, it will significantly improve the city's tourism promotion and visibility on the domestic and international markets. In this way, the funds in question do not represent an expense, but a long-term investment in the sustainable development of tourism and the overall economic prosperity of Budva," explained the first man of Budva.

Sea Dance was held from 2014 to 2020 on the beaches of Jaz and Buljarica as a kind of extension of the Exit Festival, and as part of the Exit Adventure event, and brought some of the world's biggest music stars to Montenegro, such as The Prodigy, Skrillex, Sean Paul, Jamiroquai and others.

Since its first edition, this festival has positioned Montenegro on the European festival map, bringing some of the world's biggest music names, and after its debut, it also won the prestigious European festival award for the Best European Festival in the category of up to 40.000 visitors per day.

The Government of Montenegro announced the day before yesterday that it has approved 1,5 million euros in support for international summer music festivals in 2026, thus creating the conditions for the EXIT festival to be held in Montenegro next summer.

"The organization of two major international music events under the joint title 'EXIT to Montenegro' in Ulcinj in the first half of July and the 'Sea Dance' festival in Budva at the end of August has the potential to generate measurable economic benefits for the tourism industry and the broader economy, with a very strong promotional effect at the global level," the Information states, the Government said.

According to estimates, the Government said, both events are expected to generate at least 210.000 overnight stays and over 40 million euros in direct tourism spending.

"The proposed public support amounts to 1,5 million euros from the state budget, with additional support from the municipalities of Budva and Ulcinj. By implementing this project, Montenegro intends to position itself as one of the leaders of event tourism in Europe, a tourism industry that already generates more than 100 billion euros annually globally," the government said.