The Tourism and Hospitality Association Board of the Chamber of Economy in Montenegro convened a session in Žabljak focused on exploring the tourism potential of the municipality and the Durmitor National Park, alongside discussing plans for the upcoming summer season.
Chaired by President Ranko Jovović, the session held at the Crno Jezero restaurant saw the attendance of various dignitaries including Žabljak Municipality President Radoš Žugić, Ministry of Tourism representatives led by General Director Svetlana Šljivančanin, Director of Žabljak Tourist Organization Stojan Abazović, and officials from the National Tourism Organization, Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro, Traffic Administration, Inspectorate Administration, local tourist organizations, and Žabljak’s tourism industry.
Expressing gratitude for the participation of government representatives and business leaders, President Ranko Jovović, in his opening remarks, hinted at the prospects of an outstanding season, potentially breaking records once again.
While acknowledging the readiness of the tourism sector for the upcoming season, Jovović also highlighted critical factors that could impact its success, including the challenges posed by the informal economy, noise pollution around accommodation areas, shortage of skilled workforce, employment of foreign workers, infrastructure issues in transportation and communal services, construction activities during peak tourist seasons, and delays at border crossings.
Jovović emphasized the need for infrastructure development aligned with tourism interests, stressing the importance of consulting the tourism sector during project planning to mitigate disruptions during peak seasons. He also underscored Montenegro’s potential as a year-round tourist destination, emphasizing the need to integrate coastal and inland attractions to extend the tourist season and stimulate development in the northern regions.
Regarding winter tourism, Jovović advocated for a comprehensive approach focusing on sustainable development, investment, public-private partnerships, and effective marketing strategies. He highlighted the significance of developing mountain resorts not only to attract tourists and create employment opportunities but also to stimulate broader economic growth.
Addressing the imbalance in tourism traffic, where the north contributes only a fraction, around 5%, Jovović called for strategic planning and infrastructure investment to enhance connectivity, including the construction of hotels, ski slopes, cable cars, roads, and railways, as well as improving transportation links with Podgorica airport.
Reflecting on the past winter season’s challenges due to insufficient snowfall, Jovović urged government intervention to compensate ski resorts for their losses, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in sustaining and enhancing Montenegro’s tourism sector.
Overall, the session served as a platform to address key issues and chart a course for sustainable tourism development in Montenegro, emphasizing collaboration between government, industry stakeholders, and local communities.
