According to unofficial data from local tourist organizations received weekly by the National Tourism Organization (NTO) of Montenegro, there are currently over 91,000 tourists in the country.
NTO representative Milena Vujačić said this number is nearly the same as the same period last year and represents a 2.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019.
“The largest number of visitors are staying in Budva, Herceg Novi, Ulcinj, and Bar. Our current expectations are that the season will be on par with last year’s,” Vujačić told Mediabiro.
The NTO’s expectations are also based on advance bookings.
“The NTO conducted a survey of the tourism industry, and results showed that two-thirds of respondents are satisfied with the forecasts for the summer season. Most believe the season will be the same as last year or even better,” Vujačić added.
Another indicator monitored by the NTO is revenue from the tourist tax, which is also reported weekly.
“The revenue collected from the beginning of the year until June 25th, which goes to the state treasury, amounts to 646,000 euros, marking a 3 percent increase compared to the same period last year and a 1.5 percent increase compared to 2019,” Vujačić said.
Representatives of Montenegro’s tourism sector are currently reporting significant results and are optimistic about the remainder of the summer season.
Armend Mila, Executive Director of the Hotel and Tourism Company (HTP) Ulcinjska rivijera, said the season at the nudist resort Ada Bojana has started very well.
“Currently, our revenues are 59 percent higher compared to last year. We have recorded over 30 percent more overnight stays than the previous year. This trend is sure to continue throughout the summer. This is a positive story for tourism in both Ulcinj and Montenegro as a whole,” Mila said.
He emphasized that many changes have been introduced this year, especially regarding food and non-accommodation spending, including a gate to protect nudist guests visiting Ada and security measures to ensure they feel free.
“If the morning shows the day, we expect this to be the best tourist season for Ada Bojana in the past 15 years,” Mila noted.
Radenko Marović from the Solaris hospitality facility on Jaz Beach is also optimistic about the season but urges tourists to be patient with the road infrastructure.
“As for me and my neighbors, we expect Jaz to be full until September. It seems to me that Jaz is operating at a higher level this year, attracting many visitors, which can be seen from the parking lots and the beach. I think it will be a good season, and in the end, we will all be glad that under the circumstances we managed to organize it well,” Marović said.
Aleksandar Šuković, Executive Director of Hotel Tara, noted that the hotel has seen growth year after year and has reached pre-COVID levels this year.
“We have increased overnight stays by about eight to ten percent compared to last year in the first three months. This month we had around 20,000 overnight stays, last month 11,000, and April was about 7,000,” Šuković explained.
Regarding the structure of guests, they come from the Far East to Western Europe.
“We have guests from China, Uzbekistan, the Middle East, and neighboring countries like Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. I believe the season will be good overall; the numbers are being adjusted month by month, and I think in the end, everyone will be satisfied, especially Montenegrin hotels that are seeing growth in visits,” Šuković concluded.
