Montenegro has seen a 7.9% decrease in tourist arrivals this year compared to the same period last year, according to the National Tourism Organization (NTO). Tourism specialist Petar Golubović attributes this decline to several factors, including significantly increased service prices along the coast. He also pointed out that inadequate preparation for the season and insufficient improvements in transportation infrastructure and air connectivity have contributed to the drop in visitors.
Golubović noted that individual tourism, which dominates over hotel stays, has also experienced a decline in guests. Specifically, there was a 7% decrease in May, a similar drop in July, and a modest decline of about 1% in June. He observed that the pre-season performance fell short of expectations, although hotel accommodations achieved positive results.
High prices are a major factor affecting the decrease in tourists, with notable increases in costs at hospitality venues. Additionally, the lack of progress in transportation infrastructure from the previous year has discouraged tourists traveling by car.
While air connectivity has improved somewhat, it has not been sufficient to significantly boost visitor numbers. Golubović does not anticipate a significant improvement in the tourist situation in the upcoming month and emphasizes the need for better preparation for future seasons.
In contrast, Barbara Marković, President of the Croatian Association of Family Accommodation, reported strong performance in Croatia’s individual accommodation sector this summer. She noted a trend toward vacationing in inland areas rather than solely on the coast.
Marković highlighted that Croatia has effective air connectivity with numerous destinations, which is crucial for attracting low-cost airlines and flights. Support for these flights has led to increased visitors from the UK, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with expectations for quality tourism to continue in the coming months.
She added that events such as the Olympics and the European Football Championship in Germany have impacted visitor numbers, but Croatia is investing heavily in the post-season, which attracts high-spending tourists.
