All realistic indicators and parameters suggest that this year’s tourism season in Montenegro is significantly below expectations and announcements of the government.
A hospitality boss from Petrovac, Ilija Armenko, tells Dan daily that the prices on the Montenegrin coast are same or lower compared to the region but our country doesn’t attract high-end tourists.
“Contrary to employees, employers are not protected. We have difficulties when it comes to labor force, and when we find employees, they can leave us whenever they want, they can insult us, work for a month and just leave. You mustn’t complain about their work, otherwise they’ll leave. A chef receives a €2.500 salary, a waiter €1.000. I have a worker who’s coming to work every fifth day and I’m helpless,” Mr Armenko says.
According to him, everybody’s expecting for the season to finally begin. “It’s just like every other previous year – nothing special. It’s not this government’s fault, it’s something we’re struggling with for many decades. We listen to the stories about foreign arrivals and wonder when those people will come.”
Mr Armenko continues: “How many hotels, houses and flats have been constructed while transport infrastructure has remained the same. How am I supposed to explain a guest that he has to travel three hours from Tivat to Petrovac? Or from Susanj to Sutomore which is 5 km – over an hour? That’s an issue they should be dealing with from October to May, not in the midst of the season”.
