Although revenue from the arrival of cruise ships in Kotor is very important and has a significant economic effect on all those in the chain of services for the ships, their companies and passengers, there are no official data on total income from this particular industry.
The only data available is that of the Port of Kotor, which provides all port and pilotage service, and it says that this company in 2015 earned more than three million euros.
Executive Director of Luka Kotor A.D. (Port of Kotor), Vasilije Kusovac, says that revenues from cruise ships levied by the company represent only 30 percent of the total potential, and refer only to the removal of ships and berths.
“.. A ship of about 70.000 tons pays the fairway of approximately 1.500 euros. Another large and important item is the revenue from vignettes charged by Lucka Kapetanija (Harbour Master), and which goes into the state budget. So, all in all, revenue from cruise ships is very important, but it is also very difficult to define”, says Kusovac.
Kusovac notes 2015 was extremely successful when it comes to cruise ship arrivals. In fact, it was the best since the current management of the company majority owned by the municipality took office. Kusovac says he expects 2016 to prove even better, with over 450 announced cruise ship arrivals and 500.000 visitors, and with more than 200.000 crew members.
“Tours that are organized for cruise passengers are the major item, because cruisers come primarily for the picnics and tours. There are also revenues from parking, restaurants, hotels.. All this needs to be coordinated and networked if we want to invest in Montenegrin cruise industry and take it up to the required level. Being in the Mediterranean, we have a tremendous advantage because tourists can visit seven different destinations in just seven days, the climate is excellent, ports are suitable, and Kotor certainly found its position in the industry. Three years ago in Miami, a prestigious magazine declared us a Top destination, and last year, we received recognition as a highly recommended destination”, said Kusovac.
The analysis of the National Tourist Organization conducted few years back indicated that tourists from cruise ships spend in Kotor an average of 43 euros per person, and crew members about 29 euros.
If you take into account this information with the announced 500,000 passengers and 200,000 crew members, the calculation shows tens of millions of euros of revenue only on the basis of consumption of passengers and crew from a cruise ship.
