President of the Association of Tourist Agencies of Montenegro, Mr Orhan Hodžić, warns that a lot of time will pass until travelling comes back to normal.
In the interview with Dnevne novine, Mr Hodžić pointed out that Government’s aid in the form of three packages was not sufficient to sustain tourist workers. According to him, border with Serbia was opened too late and tourists from the region are not enough for us to boast of excellent results.
What’s your opinion about the current situation in Montenegrin and world tourism, shattered by the coronavirus pandemic?
Mr Hodžić: The situation is chaotic. No one ever hoped this could happen. Not even in the worst thoughts. A lot of time will pass until we get back to normality.
Has opening borders improved the situation in tourism?
Hodžić: It had an impact on the tourists’ choice of Montenegro as their vacation destination, but that’s not enough to produce cost-effectiveness of work. We had great pre-conditions, we were the first corona-free destination in Europe, but it was short-lived. We opened border with Serbia late. Tourists from the region are not enough for us to boast of excellent results.
Epidemic situation is constantly changing and it European tourists can’t be sure if they can return to their countries without being required to quarantine or self-isolate. That impacts their jobs.
In your opinion, how long will post-season last? Can post-season save the year in tourism?
Mr Hodžić: Post-season can help if hoteliers and other participants in the tourism chain reduce their financial losses during the post-season. It’s impossible to make estimates.
What about tourism agencies? Was Government’s aid successful and to what extent?
Mr Hodžić: It’s very confusing, very unprofitable. It endangers our future activities. Owners of agencies are forced to dismiss employees; they are preparing arrangements with very little risks… The Government was helpful as much as it could be helpful, but it was not enough. Covering minimum wages is not the only cost. A lot of time will pass until we go back to normality. And how to survive without revenues?
Has interest in travelling waned?
Mr Hodžić: It has. September is the month when holidays are over and people go back to their regular activities. We don’t expect much travelling now. Currently, we are at the top of infections per 100.000 inhabitants, which means that many countries won’t receive us.
Many air companies have announced their return. What do you say?
Mr Hodžić: Air line companies represented by my Oki Air Company, Alitalia, Polish Lot and Croatia Airlines, have not established flights to Podgorica yet. IATA has made official appeal of salvation to many countries urging them to open borders. Otherwise, air line companies will go bankrupt.
Is the ticket sale stable?
Mr Hodžić: It’s at 10% level in comparison to the last year. Turkish Airlines operated 14 flights per week last year, while this year it operates only five. All indicates that this is the most difficult situation we have ever experienced in this domain. I would like to hail our hoteliers for creating conditions for summer vacations for our citizens. This summer, many people got to know their own country better.
