Pljevlja represents Montenegro’s most complex case. As a coal-dependent municipality facing long-term energy transition, tourism is not a replacement sector but a complementary stabiliser.
Tourism assets include mountain landscapes, cultural monuments, and proximity to cross-border routes with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Visitor volumes are low, but stays among niche visitors reach 2–4 nights, with daily spending around €90–130 and high local retention.
Tourism employment is limited but growing, offering diversification as energy employment declines. Net wages remain modest at €750–1,000, but tourism provides alternative income pathways in a municipality facing structural adjustment.
Fiscal impact is currently small, but tourism can play a role in just transition strategies, supporting SMEs, services, and community resilience. Strategic investment of €10–15 million in cultural and nature tourism infrastructure could integrate Pljevlja into broader northern itineraries, softening the economic impact of energy transition.
