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Karisma made a bid for Ulcinj riviera

Company Karisma Hotels Adriatic Montenegro, nested within Karisma Hotels & Resorts system, manages 26 hotels of four and five stars, and has recently submitted a bid for renting of HTP Ulcinj riviera.

The criteria is clear and demanding, so I am certain that the investor will be able to implement the project, primarily through rising the quality of services in the facilities covered by the tender, said Minister of Tourism and Sustainable Development Pavle Radulovic, speaking to Weekend Edition of Dnevne novine daily.

He said that the bid of Karisma Hotels Adriatic Montenegro is the only one that arrived in this tender, and that he would have more details in the following days on this matter. Speaking of the current tourist season, Radulovic said that the official statistics confirm their expectations of high results.

DN: We are in the midst of tourist season. Are you pleased with the current state of numbers when it comes to visits, revenue?

Radulovic: According to the official statistics available to us at the moment, there has been 219.358 tourists visiting Montenegro concluding with May. Compared to last year, that is 14% more. Official statistics for June are expected during the next week. Russian and Ukrainian market, although expected to decline, have noted a growth of 25% more passengers.

When it comes to revenue, the growth in number of visits is bound to reflect to the financial state. We are also expecting a good post-season. Certainly, there is a lot room for improvement of Montenegro as a tourist destination, in order to continue this growth in the years to come.

DN: What do you think is the main problem in Montenegrin tourist offer?

Radulovic: The offer of quality accommodation needs to be developed still, although it has significantely progressed during the last years. In order to overcome that situation, the Government adopted a series of encouraging measures for development of hotel capacities of high category. We will also work to improve the investment environment. The new Law on Tourism will offer solutions for new types of tourist management and a more intensive development of insufficiently developed areas.

Speaking of problems, we can note that there is large difference between the south and north of Montenegro, as 90% of tourist revenue is gathered on the coast, which should be resolved by the new initiatives in hotel industry of the area.

Creating a quality, diversified tourist product will contribute to a decrease in the very pronounced season character of our current offer.

DN: Which market should be the priority in the following period?

Radulovic: Strategic marketing plan for tourism, which is currently being drawn up, will determine the priorities in the part of the market Montenegro should focus on during the next five years. On one hand, we are analysing the attractiveness of the market, on the other – Montenegro’s competitiveness in that market.

We expect that markets of Germany, Great Britain, France, Russia and the region will remain important for Montenegro.

DN: Tender for bids for renting of HTP Ulcinj riviera expires soon. How many bidders applied, and where are they from?

Radulovic: Tender commission for valorization of tourist sites, in accordance with the Decision on Privatization plan for 2017, is implementing the procedure for projects based on public-private partnerships, among which is a long-term rental of the land owned by the state – HTP Ulcinj riviera – hotels Olimpik and Belvi.

One company responded to the tender, Karisma Hotels Adriatic Montenegro. This project aims to have Ulcinj once again become an attractive tourist destination.

DN: When do you expect the works on tourist complex Mamula to begin?

Radulovic: The contract on long-term rental of the island Lastavica and fortress Mamula was signed in 2015, and pertains to a period of 49 years. The fortress will be reconstructed into a hotel of museum character, five stars. The value of the investment is €15 million, and it will be implemented within the 18 months since the issuance of construction permit.

Newly formed company OHM Mamula Montenegro will implement the project, and has already asked for the permits from the Ministry. The Government gave its agreement on July 12th this year, and the construction should last 12 months. The documentation should be prepared during that time as well. The reconstruction will be done in accordance with very strict conservation rules, that are an integral part of the main project.

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