We have recorded 144,294 tourists more in the first six months of this year and 506,538 overnights more in the collective and private accommodation compared to the same period last year. Having in mind the fact that less than 30% of the total tourism turnover is realized in the first six months of the year, we can expect to have up to 2.5 million tourists and over 14 million overnight stays, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, MORiT, Mr Damir Davidović, told Pobjeda daily.
Speaking about the summer tourism season, he said he had the opportunity to hear comments that there were less guests than ever but assured that data suggested a completely different situation. According to official data, no decline was recorded even in May, when the weather conditions were pretty unfavorable.
“Our data are real and do not suggest that we are having a bad summer season.”
As for the revenues, MORiT is convinced that based on the statistics and the available data, this year Montenegro is going to generate up to €1.15 billion in revenues, which is more than last year.
Mr Davidović also emphasized that all assessments referring to the postseason have been positive. “I was in touch with the biggest hotel owners and according to them, September would be very good, as well as October, so we expect positive results in those months as well.”
Illegal private accommodation still represents a huge challenge. “Data show that we’ve made a significant progress, as last year, we had an increase in the number of registered overnights -between eight and nine per cent – and also an increase in the collected city tax that amounted to 17 per cent. This year, we have recorded a continuing growth in the collection of a city tax (around 20 per cent),” Mr Davidović added.
The north of the country, according to him, was also visited by many tourists. “The announcements for the postseason in the north are also great so we expect to have the record-breaking year in this part of the country as well.”
The Ministry plans to carry out an analysis to see where tourists spend their money the most, as it is not only for the accommodation. Mr Davidović continued: “Along with the Chamber of Commerce, we shall see how the price policy is going to be implemented, but we should not rush with drastic increase in prices.”
Electronic registration of tourists soon
Mr Davidović stressed that it was very important to work on faster registration of tourists.
“That is why I do believe we have positive results. This year, we have recorded 500,000 tourists more, which is by 20 per cent higher compared to the past two years.”
38 hotels opened this year
Hotel accommodation in Montenegro is improving on a daily basis. “Today we have 453 hotels in Montenegro with a total of 43,639 beds. This year, 38 new hotels were opened (four are 5-star hotels, 29 are 4-star and five are 3-star hotels) boasting 3,001 beds,” noted Mr Davidović.
Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies… this guy’s favorite song.