Tourism in Montenegro

Tourism in Montenegro is one of the main sources of income of the country. The small Balkan country is a Mediterranean country with a rich architectural and cultural heritage, a variety of landscapes and climates, as well as an ecosystem largely preserved. Due to its natural endowment, it is therefore suitable for many types of tourism, so the aim is to expand Montenegro to a classic tourist destination. Montenegro is considered one of the fastest growing tourist destinations. In 2012, 1.44 million tourists visited Montenegro, 9.15 million overnight stays generated (this corresponds to an increase of 5 % compared to the previous year). This was ( in 2009) about 569 million euros in tourism revenue achieved ( increase of 18.5 % compared to 2007). While before the war in Yugoslavia, the travel guests also amplified from the German-speaking countries came here, there are nowadays mainly guests from Eastern Europe ( mainly from Russia ) as well as from neighboring Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ( see below).

Pros and Cons

Almost all economic activities in Montenegro aimed at facilitating the development of tourism. The government wants to encourage ' green investment ', ie the optimal use of the undeveloped parts of the coast, such as Jaz Beach ( near Budva ), Velika Plaza, Ada Bojana, and Buljarica. Such investments could make the tourist attractiveness of Montenegro after the Balkan wars of the 1990s again, so that a highly competitive destination can develop for the sustainable quality tourism. Even international investments, such as Porto Montenegro, Aman Resorts ( Sveti Stefan, Milocer, Queens beach ) and Orascom Development ( Luštica Peninsula ) are opened or on the path of realization.

Due to its diverse natural and cultural potentials of Montenegro can be marketed as a destination with year-round tourism opportunities. Therefore, the Tourism Master Plan of Montenegro until 2020 is considered a pioneer for a national development program for sustainable nature tourism, with new infrastructure and services, particularly in the areas of walking and cycling. The realization of a first three - year program was launched in 2007. 2011, the project " Wilderness Hiking & Biking" by the German Travel Association (DRV ) was awarded with the internationally EcoTrophea. Already in the following year another project from Montenegro was among the top 5 for the EcoTrophea, 2012. Accommodation " Apartments Utjeha.me " in the same resort in the municipality of Bar Utjeha The Beherberungsbetrieb was the first accommodation in Montenegro with the European Ecolabel EU Ecolabel and thus occupies the pioneer and role model for sustainable accommodation in Montenegro.

2010, the country was chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council ( WTTC ) for his efforts in the category "Destination Stewardship " among the three finalists of the " Tourism for Tomorrow " awards.

The biggest problem of Montenegrin tourism are still inadequate air links from the main source markets. The two international airports are those of Tivat and Podgorica. The road infrastructure, however, has performed well in the past 5 years. With the Montenegrin railway to get since 2011, not only from the coast ( Bar ) over the capital ( Podgorica ) to the north ( Kolasin, Bijelo Polje ) but also by Niksic in the western direction.

Destinations

Northern coastal region

This remarkable coastal region is currently for tourists in Montenegro are of particular interest. The Montenegrin Adriatic coast is 295 km long, of which 72 km are beaches, and can point to some old, well-preserved cities. The main attractions along the north coast are:

• The old town of Herceg Novi
• The old town of Kotor (UNESCO World Heritage Site )
• The Bay of Kotor, with the old town Perast
• Porto Montenegro - luxury yacht marina in Tivat
• The well-preserved old town of Budva
• Sveti Stefan: a small island village was transformed in the 1950s into a luxury hotel
• The town of Petrovac near Budva

Southern coastal region

The southern coastal region of Montenegro is considered one of the great " discoveries " among foreign tourists. In January 2010, the New York Times announced that the southern coast of Ulcinj - including Velika Plaza, Ada Bojana, and the Hotel Mediterranean Ulcinj - among the "Top 31 Places to Go in 2010 " as part of a worldwide ranking of tourism destinations belong.

The southern coastal region, with Ulcinj as the main center, among other things, popular because of its miles of sandy beaches ( Blue Flag), the eco - adventure activities, old fortified towns and its vibrant night life. The main objectives are:

• The old town of Ulcinj with its distinctive battlements and Cyclopean walls, vibrant nightlife, the seaside promenade, as well as the longest unspoiled beach of Montenegro ( 13 km), the Velika Plaza.
• The old town of Bar ( Stari Bar ) as a " living museum ".
• The island Ada Bojana in the extreme south of Montenegro, with its famous river restaurants, daily fresh seafood from the surrounding waters serve ( 16 km south of Ulcinj ).
• The pebble beach and the massive olive groves Valdanos ( Ulcinj ).
• The beach, the sea caves and pine resin air at the ' Ladies Beach ', which has been known for generations with locals for cures for infertility and other ailments.
• The only Montenegrin deep water harbor and commercial port in bar
• The beach and the bay of Utjeha " Uvala Maslina " ( Olive Bay ), the southernmost bay of the municipality of Bar (Blue Flag)
• The Skadar Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans and also the nature reserve, serves as one of the largest nesting sites for migratory birds on the European continent (including pelicans ).
• Beaches, castles, islands and villages on Lake Skadar

Central Region

Although it is the most densely populated area of Montenegro, the central region has fewer tourist attractions. Are noteworthy:

• The Ostrog Monastery, a famous place of pilgrimage
• Archaeological remains of Duklja ( Duklja ) from the Roman period ( on the outskirts of Podgorica )
• Cetinje, the historical capital of Montenegro
• The mountain Lovćen, within the national park and the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović - Njegoš, which offers a wide panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the Bay of Kotor and the Mediterranean.

Northern Highlands

The northern region is the center of Montenegrin mountain tourism. Here are ski resorts and is popular for its unspoiled nature. The whole area of ​​Durmitor massif and the canyon of Tara as a component of protected national parks and sites of UNESCO World Heritage.

Destinations in the North are:

• The town of Zabljak in the Durmitor mountains, the most popular tourist destination off the Montenegrin coast.
• The Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe and after the Grand Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world. The river is a popular destination for rafting tourism.
• The Biogradska Gora National Park, the largely virgin forest ( with the Biogradsko Jezero ) and extensive hiking and mountain bike trails.
• The town of Kolasin, another popular tourist destination near the Biogradska Gora National Park, the ski resort " Kolasin 1450 " on Bjelasica Mountains.
• The city Plužine, located on the shores of Lake Piva, with various offers for nature lovers.
• The town of Plav, starting the youngest National Park Prokletija.

Tourist arrivals and overnight stays ( by local or country of origin)

90.4 % of all tourists in Montenegro in 2012 spent their holidays in one of six coastal communities. This was even 96.8 % of all nights. The average length of stay in 2012, however, was on the coast at about 7 nights in the other regions with only 2-3 nights. One exception was 2011, the old historical capital Cetinje, which came to about 5 nights. The leader was the town Tivat, which came to just under 9 nights in 2012.

The average length of stay was similar for all nationalities in 2012 and was 5 to 7 nights. Only the Italians came, like last year, only 4.2 nights, while the Russians with 8.2 nights ( 2011: 7.3 ) remained the longest.

Source: Statistical office of Montenegro