Berane’s economic trajectory has been shaped by industrial decline and public-sector dependence, leaving it searching for a new development anchor. Tourism alone cannot replace lost industrial capacity, but it can serve as a re-anchoring sector, particularly when linked to culture, aviation heritage, and soft adventure.
The municipality’s assets include mountain hinterlands, river valleys, monasteries, and a unique aviation legacy associated with the former Berane airport infrastructure, which continues to shape local identity even in its current inactive state. Cultural and memorial tourism tied to religious sites and historical narratives forms the backbone of current visitor flows.
Tourism volumes remain low, but average stays of 2–3 nights are becoming more common among cultural and regional visitors. Daily spending is estimated at €90–120, with strong local retention due to limited external operators. Employment effects are modest in scale but important symbolically, providing alternatives to public-sector employment.
Municipal revenues benefit marginally from tourism, but the strategic value lies in option creation. Tourism supports service-sector skills, SME formation, and cultural asset monetisation. Over time, this can prepare the municipality for multi-sector recovery, rather than dependence on a single industry.
Key constraints include limited accommodation quality, weak destination branding, and underutilised infrastructure. Public investment of €10–15 million in cultural assets, river access, and small-scale accommodation incentives could materially improve Berane’s tourism profile. The municipality’s long-term value lies in hybridisation, not pure tourism specialisation.
