Mohamed Alabbar, the Emirati billionaire and founder of the development group Eagle Hills, has restarted discussions concerning a significant tourism project at Velika Plaža, located near Ulcinj, Montenegro. This renewed interest comes after previous public backlash and regulatory challenges that led to a halt in plans for a long-term lease of the beach earlier in 2025. Alabbar is now engaging with local landowners and stakeholders to explore potential investment and partnership opportunities.
In a recent meeting with property owners and residents from the Velika Plaža area, Alabbar expressed his company’s intent to advance a project concept referred to internally as the “Long Beach Project.” He clarified that no binding agreements or land purchases have been finalized at this stage. Instead, Eagle Hills has proposed non-binding letters of intent to assess interest in various partnership arrangements, making it clear that these documents do not obligate the company to move forward with formal agreements.
The discussions involve approximately six million square meters of land, which includes around four million square meters of state-owned territory along with two million square meters of privately owned land. Alabbar indicated that if land becomes available for the proposed project, contributors would receive bank guarantees. The aspirational timeline for implementation is projected at about nine years, contingent upon reaching a formal agreement.
Alabbar first entered the public discourse in Montenegro in March 2025 when plans were announced for an extensive development at Velika Plaža. This included a proposed 99-year lease of the beach extending from Port Milena to the mouth of the Bojana River, which sparked significant public protests and political opposition. The legislative body of Ulcinj ultimately rejected this initiative, prompting Eagle Hills to pause its initial plans and consider alternatives based on existing spatial planning documents.
During this interim period, Eagle Hills Montenegro participated in a national tender for beach leases in March 2025, submitting bids for 19 beach locations and ranking first on nine before retracting several offers due to pressure from existing tenants. The company successfully secured lease rights for two popular beaches in Ulcinj—Tropikana and Imperijal—which it is currently managing.
In early October 2025, Eagle Hills further expanded its activities by signing a joint venture agreement with local developer “Cungu & Co” to establish Eagle Hills Ecovillage Shas Podgorica. This new entity is focused on developing an eco-tourism destination near Šas, emphasizing environmentally sensitive accommodations, wellness services, and recreational facilities aimed at providing an authentic Montenegrin tourism experience while preserving local natural resources.
Alabbar’s renewed engagement at Velika Plaža highlights ongoing interest from international developers in Montenegro’s coastal tourism sector and reflects the complex interplay of community and political dynamics influencing such projects. While future development plans are still under consideration, recent interactions suggest a willingness on both sides to find common ground that could attract significant investment to one of Montenegro’s most notable coastal areas.
