The municipality of Bar has experienced a notable increase in tourist activity during the 2026 season, attributed to heightened accommodation demand and an expanding cruise segment. From May to July, Bar welcomed 140,119 tourist arrivals, reflecting a 16% rise compared to the same timeframe in 2025. Additionally, overnight stays surged by 11%, totaling 1,041,439.
In August, individual accommodation contributed an additional 48,869 arrivals, marking a 6% increase, while overnight stays rose by 3% to reach 420,172. The final statistics for collective accommodation in August are still pending.
The largest group of visitors continues to come from neighboring countries, followed by tourists from Poland, Germany, Russia, France, Ukraine, the United States, and Hungary. This diverse visitor demographic provides Bar with a more resilient demand base compared to other coastal destinations that rely heavily on one or two markets.
Cruise tourism is becoming increasingly significant for Bar. The city anticipates welcoming a total of 41 cruise ships, which are expected to bring approximately 128,000 passengers throughout the season from late March until October 26. September alone is projected to see around 15,000 passengers and over 5,000 crew members.
The economic impact of cruise arrivals largely hinges on passenger expenditures while ashore, excursion availability, and local businesses’ ability to engage with port traffic. Although high passenger numbers do not directly translate into hotel revenue, they can positively influence restaurants, retail outlets, transport services, and cultural attractions.
Despite these positive trends, Bar must address the broader challenge faced by Montenegro in transforming summer tourism volume into year-round activity. Enhancing events, promoting sports tourism, and improving transportation links could help bolster pre-season and post-season activities, thereby lessening reliance on the peak July-August market.
