Bulatović: The goal is to retain workers, PKCG proposed to state institutions to stimulate workers even in the off-season

Year after year, Montenegro expands its accommodation capacity and works on its offer, thereby creating conditions for new records in the tourist season, Vice President of the Committee for Tourism and Hospitality of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro (PKCG) Luka Bulatović said in "Colors of the Morning".

Aleksandar Jovanović, a member of the Budva Catering Association, believes that this will be the best season so far.

"The question is how ready we are for that," he added.

Among the problems faced by Jovanović, he singles out the traffic infrastructure, congestion and the lack of manpower, considering that they have become more pronounced in recent years.

"There is a lack of labor force from countries in the region, so the possibility of bringing it from further destinations such as India and Bangladesh, with which communication has already been established, is being considered," said Jovanović.

When asked how much salary, during the season, is expected for waiters, Jovanović said that it ranges from 600 to 1.000 euros, while for cooks it is from 800 to 2.500, depending on the training of the workers.

"In addition, accommodation and food are provided, which makes these conditions similar to those in Croatia," he said.

According to Branka Džoganović, a member of the Association of Private Accommodation Providers, the capacities of private accommodation are ready.

Bulatović said that the PKCG proposed a solution to the state institutions that, in his opinion, would keep the workers even after the season.

"We proposed that employers hire a worker for up to seven months, and that the state stimulates his work up to 70% in the off-season, which would oblige the worker to combine two seasons," explained Bulatović.

PKCG will form, as he says, the Congress Bureau of Montenegro, which will be a partner to state institutions in the promotion of the tourist offer.

"In discussions with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), we agreed to make it easier for employers to register workers and to shorten the waiting periods for work permits," he added.

According to him, work permits were issued for a period of three years, while, as he believes, it would help if they were extended to a period of three years, as Croatia did.

According to Džoganović, the problems faced by providers of private accommodation concern promotion, education in the fiscalization of business, registration and creating the content of the offer.

"Our hosts are the first promoters and ambassadors of our country's tourism and they deserve much more attention and instructions on how to do it the right way, but that was missing this year as well," she said.

The prices of private accommodation are, as she believes, the most affordable in the Mediterranean, in addition to the increase.

Jovanović said that there will be a price increase of 10 to 15 percent for restaurateurs, adding that it is not significantly more than, in his opinion, it should be considering the other price increases.

"The education system does not follow the labor market, and specifically here in Budva, two students are enrolled in a secondary mixed school majoring in cooking," explained Jovanović.

A workforce that knows foreign languages ​​is also needed, he adds.

The good winter season was affected by unfortunate circumstances, such as the war in Ukraine, Jovanović believes, adding that he is not sure how the transport infrastructure will handle the summer season.

According to Bulatović, the joint task of the private and state sectors is to prepare the conditions for the tourist season.

"I am happy about the new investment, that is, the Kotor-Lovćen cable car, which will relieve the crowds," added Bulatović.

He believes that Montenegro can be a competitor, emphasizing the natural resources it has to offer.

Džoganović believes that the prices are below the realistic ones, but that they will be achieved, as she says, after the infrastructure issues are resolved.

"Montenegro has a huge tourist potential and it is very important that we have strategies and that we know the direction we are going, which requires us to sit down and talk about it and prepare in the best way for the tourist season," concluded Jovanović.