@MRTME @MORiT.me
Magazine of The Ministry Of Sustainable Development and Tourism
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT November 2016
All the wonders of MONTENEGRO HOW TO LEGALISE A BUILDING
(COST (COST AND AND BENEFITS BENEFITS OF OF REGULARISATION REGULARISATION –– PART PART ONE) ONE)
PROJECT 1000+ Even more affordable for citizens CENTRAL THEME:
Business Tourism in Podgorica @MRTME
MORiT.me
1
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT
CONTENTS
November 2016 38.
8.
18.
40. 32.
54.
26.
Cover photo: Radoje Burzan
INTRODUCTION
5
TOURISM NEWS
6-7
CENTRAL THEME: Business MICE Tourism in Podgorica
8 - 17
Interview with Danica Banjević, Director of the Montenegro Convention Bureau and Deputy Director at the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro: GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PODGORICA 9 - 11 Interview: Haluk Bilgili, Director of the “Hilton Crna Gora” Hotel: WORLD BRANDS FOR SEASON EXTENSION
11 - 12
Maja Kovačević, Independent Adviser at the Directorate for Tourism Development and Standards: AIR-ACCESSIBILITY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR MONTENEGRO 18 - 19 Interview: Gil Stav, vice president of marketing and sales at “Israir Travel & Tourism”: EVEN MORE FLIGHTS PLANNED 19 - 20
Marko Mirović, Advisor at the PR Department: DIGITAL MARKETING AND MONTENEGRIN TOURISM 30 - 31 Tatjana Jelić, Secretary of the Secretariat for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency, Municipality of Tivat: TIVAT SALINA 32 - 37 Vasilije Prelević, sAdvisor at the Directorate for Tourism Destination Management: KNOWING OURSELVES BRINGS US CLOSER TO OTHERS
38 - 41
Dragica Mirjačić, Agricultural producer from Nikšić: CORNEL – FOOD AND MEDICINE
42 - 43
ZOR GALLERY – A PLACE WHERE TRADITION MEETS MODERN
44 - 47
EVENTS IN NOVEMBER
48 - 51
NEWLY OPENED 4 AND 5 STAR HOTELS IN 2016
52 - 53
GORICA ADVENTURE PARK
54 - 55
Interview: Radmila Lainović, Head of the Division for Housing at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism: IN THE LONG RUN LEGALIZATION IS WORTH IT 21 - 25 Marko Čanović, Director General of the Directorate for Housing Development: OLD APARTMENTS PART OF 1000+ OFFER
PAGE 21
26 - 27
PRESS CLIPPING: FOREIGN MEDIA ON MONTENEGRO 28 - 29
Follow us on the social networks:
@MRTME
MORiT.me
3
MONTENEGRO M I N I S T R Y O F S U S TA I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T AND TOURISM
MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM MINISTER:
Branimir Gvozdenović ADDRESS:
IV Proleterske brigade 19 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro TELEPHONE:
+382 (0)20 446 346 +382 (0)20 446 347 +382 (0)20 446 341 FAX:
+382 (0)20 446 215 TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT EDITORIAL TEAM: Marina Miketić Nikolić marina.miketic@mrt.gov.me Milica Lekić milica.lekic@mrt.gov.me Ivana Radoman ivana.radoman@mrt.gov.me Marko Mirović marko.mirovic@mrt.gov.me DESIGN: Ana Đurković WEB-SITE:
www.mrt.gov.me MORiT.me
@MRTME
MONTENEGRO NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION DIRECTOR:
Željka Radak Kukavičić ADDRESS:
Marka Miljanova 17 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro TELEPHONE:
+382 077 100 001 FAX:
+382 077 100 009 E-MAIL:
info@montenegro.travel WEB-SITE:
www.montenegro.travel ntocg
@SeeMontenegro
CALL CENTER :
0 8000 1300
Dear readers, “Tourism and Environment” is a new title of our former “Tourism Bulletin”. We have opted to change the title because this Ministry, although with significant capacities committed to tourism, also deals with topics that are related to the environment, its adjustment to people and efforts made for its preservation. Therefore, these are areas that directly affect lives of all Montenegrin citizens, and as such they deserve to be directly, in details and objectively covered in this publication. In the November edition you can read what the new Law on Regularisation of Informal Structures brings, what the procedure is that every citizen wishing to be a part of this project will have to be subjected to and what are the benefits of this initiative taken by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism. The central theme of this edition is business i.e. MICE tourism. This time the focus is on Podgorica, where several high category hotels have been opened in the last couple of months, which is expected to have significant impact on the creation of solid tourism offer of the central region. In the conversation with proved professionals from this area we tried to discover what the Capital, tourism representatives and also citizens are to do in order for the season to be extended to 12 months, and Podgorica to really become the hub of this type of tourism. However, no tourism destination can be complete if there is no possibility to quickly and easily reach it. Therefore, nowadays, air-accessibility has the same meaning for the development of tourism as the Internet for the flow of information. Our private, and particularly our business spheres of life, are more and more determined by the factor of time, which there is less and less. The arrival of low-cost companies
@MRTME
MORiT.me
largely contributed to the growth of number of tourists in the recent years, and the number of those coming from Western European countries is increasing as well. On the pages in front of you, you can read how air-accessibility affects the positioning of Montenegro as a tourism destination, and also about benefits for citizens, who since recently have been able to travel from their country directly to different destinations at costs that are much more affordable that the previous ones. We have also presented the results of the project “1000+”, within which a large number of citizens had the opportunity to resolve their housing, i.e. one of the most important living issues at favourable conditions. We also bring you a story about Tivat Solila, which besides rare, magnificent birds, is more and more visited by tourists – flora and fauna lovers. Here are also some thoughts about the significance of digital marketing in tourism promotion; life paths of the people who are trying to make serious business success stories through special vocations – using nature and tradition, as well as many other easy-to-read observations on important themes that are of interest for all of us. Travel, be good hosts and take care of nature and the environment!
Editorial team Marina Miketić Nikolić Milica Lekić Ivana Radoman Marko Mirović
5
TOURISM NEWS
“VERDE” HOTEL OPENED The “Čelebić” Company opened a 4+ star hotel-recreational complex “Verde” in Donja Gorica. What makes this complex specific is an extremely well equipped sports gym with the capacity of 2100, then a semi-Olympic indoor pool and Wellness & Spa centre. In addition, the “Verde” hotel also has three conference halls with the seating capacity of 250 and 81 accommodation units available.
DIRECT FLIGHT DUBAI MONTENEGRO IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR In the first half of the following year a direct air connection Dubai-Montenegro will be established, as was concluded at the meeting of the Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Branimir Gvozdenović and Executive Director of the low-cost airline company Flydubai Gait Al Gait. Namely, Montenegrin relevant institutions in cooperation with the Montenegrin Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, the low-cost airline com6
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
MONTENEGRO TOURISM OFFER PRESENTED AT THE TOURISM FAIRS IN JAPAN, PARIS AND NOVI SAD The National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro presented its tourism offer at the tourism fair “JATA Tourism EXPO Japan 2016”, at a joint stand with the Tourism Organisation of Serbia and the National Tourism Agency of Albania. The fair was held in Tokyo during the period 22-25 September. Also, the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro in cooperation with the representatives of tourism industry and strategic partners presented the tourism offer of Montenegro at the 38th International Tourism Exhibition “IFTM Top Resa 2016”, which was held in the period 20-23 September in Paris. The tourism offer of Montenegro was also presented at the 49th International Tourism Fair in Novi Sad, in cooperation with the National Tourism Organisation and local tourism organisations, which was held from 29 September to 1 October.
pany “Flydubai” and marina “Porto Montenegro” organised a study tour for 148 agents, tourism employees and journalists from the Near East countries, with the intention for them to discover natural beauties and also numerous tourism advantages of Montenegro. Representatives of reputable private sector companies were also a part of the mentioned study visit, as well as the members of the management of “Flydubai” itself tasked to consider the establishment of a direct flight to Montenegro. Given that the visit resulted in the mentioned agreement on the direct flight, it has been stated that it is expected to consequently increase the number of tourists and extend the season, and also open new markets.
THE “HILTON” OFFICIALLY OPENED The “Hilton” Hotel was officially opened in Podgorica, although it started its trial work already at the beginning of September. The amount of 47 million EUR was invested in the construction of this super luxury hotel. Also, the “Hilton” created 142 new jobs, and by the end of the year this number is to increase to 170 of employees.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SKI LIFT KOLAŠIN 1600 FACILITATED The representatives of the Directorate of Public Works and “EminentDoppelmayr”consortium signed a contract on design and build services for the construction of a six-seater chairliftK8, at the location “Kolašin 1600”. Namely, the signing of this agreement created all prerequisites for the ski-resort Kolašin to be put into operation in the season 2017/2018.
SKI-RESORT KOLAŠIN 1600 OPERATIONAL NEXT YEAR, REBRANDED LIPKA TO BE OPENED IN DECEMBER Rebranded hotel “Lipka” will be opened in December of the current year, while the ski lift and the ski slope “Kolašin 1600” are expected to become operational in the season 2017/2018, as was stated during the visit by the Prime Minister Milo Đukanović and the Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Branimir Gvozdenović to Kolašin Municipality. Namely, a visit was organised to the ski-location Kolašin 1600 where a ski centre is planned to be constructed and where the works are already performed by the Directorate of the Public Works of the Ministry, and a presentation was given by “ARNN” group which is the new owner of the “Lipka” Hotel, where the operator will be the “Four points by Sheraton”. The same Investor facilitated a visit to the location “Kolašin 1450”, where their hotel of “Westin” brand will be constructed too. Rebranded “Lipka” Hotel, which is expected to be opened in December of the current year, will have 72 rooms including 12 apartments, and “The Westin Kolašin”, which is planned to be opened in 2020, will have 106 accommodation units available. With regard to this, Minister Branimir Gvozdenović stated: “In addition to the support to every job, we are planning to set the tax on services for all hospitality facilities in the north at 7 percent. Along with our investments in the tourism infrastructure, there is a serious opportunity to develop business plans, open enterprises and employ people capable of running such enterprises”. @MRTME
MORiT.me
WE ARE PLANNING TO SET THE TAX ON SERVICES FOR ALL HOSPITALITY FACILITIES IN THE NORTH AT 7%
7
Central theme:
BUSINESS (MICE) TOURISM IN PODGORICA Podgorica is becoming a host for an increasing number of high category hotels. In order to fill their capacities in the future, additional efforts are required not only by hoteliers but also the whole community. Our interviewees from different areas of tourism, business and art explain what is required for Podgorica to become the centre of business tourism, which “season� would be expanded to all year
8
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
We talked about development of congress tourism in Montenegro, with a special view on Podgorica with Danica Banjević, Director of the Montenegro Convention Bureau and Deputy Director at the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro
BUSINESS TOURISM
(Mice - Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events)
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PODGORICA Recent opening of new hotels significantly increased hotel accommodation capacity of the Capital. Based on the number of tourists visiting Podgorica and the number of festivals and business events being organised, is it realistic to expect that desired profit will be achieved, i.e. capacities filled? - Supply forms demand. Greater supply increases chances for higher profit and better competitiveness to be achieved. The requirement for existence of hotel capacities and quality required by guests of various structures that come to the Capital, which expectedly has the highest level of transit in the country, indisputably had to be met. One of the preconditions for establishment of all-year tourism is existence of hotels that have qualitative capacities and meet the needs of tourists during different seasons and the needs of different target groups. “Horwath” analysis of the hotel industry performance in Montenegro shows that hotels from the central part, including Podgorica that also has the highest number of hotel capacities in the central region, operate mostly all year round and this is the reason why business profit of the hotels in this region is higher than the national average. In the period from 2005 to 2014, the surveyed hoteliers of this region increased
@MRTME
MORiT.me
average annual business revenues per room by 4.3 times. Namely, hoteliers of this region generate the highest profitability of all surveyed hotels in Montenegro. Hotel and similar accommodation capacities make the backbone of tourism industry which imposes the need for construction of hotel capacities of higher category (4 and 5 stars), which is one of the goals defined in the tourism development strategy. At the same time, it is necessary that the hotels have diverse offer and facilities for all-year operation. Arrival of prestigious hotel brands will provide to Montenegro new quality of hotel supply and attract new target markets, given the fact that visitors tend to book branded hotels that they are already familiar with. Within the National Tourism Organisation there is the Convention Bureau operating. In what way you contribute to organisation of events in our hotels? - The Convention Bureau has been operating since 2008 and so far it has had 27 members– 4 and 5-star hotels that have the required infrastructure available and agencies specialised for that type of tourism. Montenegro as MICE destination has been recognised so far for organising incentive travels, as well 9
In the coming period the goal of the Convention Bureau will be to identify, encourage and support national associations and alliances that are willing to be and capable of being candidates for organisation of international congresses and events in Montenegro
as small-scale events just for the reason of attractiveness of its offer. However, with increasing capacities and required congress infrastructure in hotels, we are also able to facilitate a number of international congresses. In addition to numerous promotional activities that we carry out together with the Bureau members, such as participation in MICE international fairs, organisation of study visits for decision-makers at international corporations and associations, as well as organisation of visits for specialised media, in the coming period the activities of the Convention Bureau will focus on domestic associations as well. In fact, the “Association Program” that we are currently developing is focused on the development of partner relations between private and public sector with national associations, alliances and institutions, in view of building an organised access to international congress market. The Program is focused on associations that are capable of attracting international congresses and business events. In the coming period the goal will be to identify, encourage and support national associations and alliances that are willing and capable
Arrival of prestigious hotel brands will provide to Montenegro new quality of the hotel supply and attract new target markets, given the fact that visitors tend to book branded hotels that they are already familiar with 10
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
of being candidates for organisation of international congresses and events in Montenegro. One of the examples is the Association of Dermatologists of Montenegro that has been awarded to organise a spring symposium of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) at the beginning of May 2018 where around 1 500 attendees are expected. For the reason of accommodation and congress capacities the Congress will be organised in Budva. The Convention Bureau is a member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). How many hotels are there in Podgorica and what are their total accommodation capacities? In what way are their congress capacities mainly promoted and what is the cooperation model between the Bureau and them? - Currently there are 40 categorised hotels available in Podgorica and the total of 1,992 beds in these hotels. Most hotels are categorised as 4-star hotels. Congress capacities that are currently existent in Montenegro are mostly within hotels. All the hotels, if categorised as 4 or 5-star hotels by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, which is an international requirement, may become members of the Convention Bureau of Montenegro and sign a “Partnership Program” which specifies the rights and obligations of signatories. Through the network of its promotional channels the Convention Bureau promotes congress capacities by presentations at fairs, workshops, organisation of study visits, promotional
great opportunity for Montenegro, taking into consideration purchase power of the guests staying at high category hotels and the fact that such trips take place during off-season (almost 60% events are held in May, June, September, October and November). Do Podgorica hotels have congress halls that meet the requirements for organisation of largescale congresses?
One of the examples is the Association of Dermatologists of Montenegro that has been awarded to organise a spring symposium of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) at the beginning of May 2018 where around 1 500 attendees are expected. For the reason of accommodation and congress capacities the Congress will be organised in Budva. The Convention Bureau is a member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). materials, online channels, etc. At the same time, the members of the Convention Bureau include locations outside hotel capacities where it is possible to organise MICE tourism events but such locations must be authentic, like Citadela in Budva, wine cellar Šipčanik, Zetski Dom in Cetinje and other. And they represent an integrated part of MICE offer and promotion. What distinguishes Montenegro as a MICE tourism destination? - Montenegro has everything that can attract that target group: attractive new destination, wide range of natural and cultural diversities on relatively small space, the most popular sites can be visited during a single day, there are facilities and services available for that offer, and it is relatively near all major European cities. All this makes it an excellent choice containing all the conditions for a new popular MICE tourism destination. MICE tourism is one of the most rewarding and the most profitable forms of selective tourism. Not only that it influences reduction of seasonality, which is in destinations such as Montenegro one of the most important factors for development of allyear tourism, but on the other hand it also encourages development of other forms of tourism required for visitors on business trips to experience the destination in a special way. MICE tourism represents a
@MRTME
MORiT.me
- In Montenegro there is no large congress centre, equipped for organisation of large-scale international events. Currently, there are no sufficient capacities in hotels for such purposes. Further intensive activities must be undertaken to improve airline connections during the off-season period in order to be competitive at the MICE market. It is very important that international investors recognise the significance of such type of tourism and in their facilities they have and plan congress capacities. Around 50% world events count up to 250 participants, meaning that our hotels with such a capacity can cover the organisation of small-scale conferences and congresses. Podgorica has higher number of visitors in relation to the same period last year, but still the largest portion of total visits to Montenegro is focused on the north and south. What is it in the offer of the Capital that should be particularly focused on and could make the offer competitive in relation to the other two regions? - The Capital can offer plenty to visitors depending on their interests and time that they have available: in addition to the current repertoires of cultural and entertainment programs of the city institutions, there are mini trips organised on the territory of the city (mini day trips to the surroundings of the city - to Kučka Korita, Medun, Duklja, Nemanjin Grad...) which from one year to the other become richer and more and more innovative, gastronomic-hospitality scene of Podgorica is extremely interesting, shopping tours are always attractive for guests, inevitable visit to Plantaže vineyards and the cellar Šipčanik, as well as small wine cellars and rural households, monasteries, activities such as kayaking in summer period, and visits to nearby locations like Vranjina, boat trips on Skadar Lake, and the like. The attractions of Podgorica are diverse, as well as its offer, so it is only necessary to form a clear offer for guests, and, really, a lot has been achieved in this respect in the recent years. Thus, the focus is on shaping an offer of attractions that the Capital actually possesses, and benefit from all its capacities
11
CENTRAL THEME
Interview Haluk Bilgili Director of the “Hilton Crna Gora“ Hotel
WORLD BRANDS FOR SEASON EXTENSION
12
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
How are Montenegro and the Hilton Podgorica different from the destinations and markets you have worked on so far?
-
- Every opening of a hotel has its own story and characteristics, as well as different challenges and opportunities. Montenegro and the region of the Balkans have a great potential to attract more tourists by magnificent nature, rich culture and great people. These beauties are worth of exploring. What offers will be the main focus of the “Hilton Crna Gora” Hotel? - The “Hilton Crna Gora” has in its offer various types of services aimed at meeting the needs of business people and tourists. The guests who are interested in accommodation, conference premises, SPA or cuisine specialties are warmly welcomed. Also, we look forward to renewing connections with the local community and guests who can again enjoy homemade delicacies. What are, in your opinion, the greatest challenges of hotel business in Podgorica and Montenegro? - Opening of new hotels and projects that are yet to be completed, increase the capacities of the destination. It is very important to have qualitative staff to run the operation of a new hotel. And marketing, of course, which will represent one of the basic tools in the future of this industry. Montenegro works hard on developing tourism because tourism is the main pillar of national economy, so the “Hilton Crna Gora” will make maximum efforts to contribute to this objective too. How do you see the future of congress tourism in Podgorica and do you think it can become the major tourist offer of the city? - Congress tourism is important, as are all the other segments of a tourist offer. A great incentive for tourism would be the extension of the season to include all year, and now the Capital with the “Hilton” Hotel has gained a place where large-scale conferences and events can be organised. To what extent are reputable hotel brands significant for congress tourism?
@MRTME
MORiT.me
Brands attract people, particularly the ones with worldwide reputation. A brand represents standard and commitment to providing high level services to guests. If tourists want to experience new, less known destinations, hotel brands make them feel safe and relaxed. A brand itself announces that your expectations will be met, that you don’t need to worry and that you know you’ll have to do with professionals. Do you have a specified strategy when it comes to congress tourism? - In the coming period the “Hilton Crna Gora” will accommodate both small-scale and large-scale events. We will promote our services, premises, capabilities and potentials in order to attract that business segment too. To what extent are other worldwide reputable hotel brands that enter the market of Montenegro important for you? - Other brands are very important for us, primarily because it is an indicator that investors have positive expectations. Increase in the number of international brands in Montenegro will attract more visitors and open new markets, taking into account that hotels will promote their brands and thereby Montenegro as a destination as well. Competition that will exist among those hotels will be positive for tourism, given that the standard of service quality will increase too. Hotels that invest in teams and staff will definitely have numerous benefits. All this will certainly have significant positive effects on the image of Montenegro as a tourist destination
13
CENTRAL THEME
Milena Brajović, Executive Director of the “Verde” Hotel
14
”Successful operating within MICE segment primarily requires qualitative facilities such as congress and event capacities, excellent technical equipment, then qualitative catering. What makes the difference between facilities certainly is professional service, while capable staff, in each segment of offer (technique, catering, accommodation and the like) will facilitate every event to go smoothly. Also, MICE segment requires timeliness and maximum flexibility, as well as the willingness of the host to meet every requirement by the client. Although, the “Verde” Hotel began its operating recently, we already have several successfully organised seminars behind, and announcements for October and November are already satisfying. Namely, the number of participants in conferences range between 30 and 150. Finally, Podgorica is gaining contours of an administrative centre of Montenegro with a potential to become a hub of congress happenings, owing to serious hotel features. However, the city has to additionally work on the development of offer for guests (local sights, happenings, cultural-historic monuments), as well as on improvement of road infrastructure, so all parts of the city would be purposefully connected and easily accessed. The Capital also requires a serious congress (expo) centre, which would accommodate serious events such as fairs, exhibitions and congresses, the benefits of which would undoubtedly affect the entire hotel-hospitality branch.”
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
@MRTME
MORiT.me
15
CENTRAL THEME
PAF
FESTIVALS REVIVE THE CITY The Podgorica Art Festival is a unique Podgorica and Montenegro festival with musical, theatre and film program, exhibitions from the sphere of fine and applied art and an Old Books Fair, which has been held for two years now in the centre of the Capital, in a specific ambiance of Bokeška and Njegoševa streets. This year, on 23, 24 and 25 September within PAF there were around 200 artists and exhibitors from Montenegro and the region, whose exhibits have been seen by several thousand visitors. “Our wish is that through the open door concept we provide an opportunity to young artists, musicians, painters, sculptors, architects, designers, writers, booksellers, both the amateurs and the ones who are already positioned on the cultural scene, to present their creativity, their intellectual and aesthetic preoccupations and expressions, to achieve direct contact with audience and, of course, connect with other creators. I believe it is a concept 16
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Sava Rakočević, PAF founder and organiser
that has great importance for affirmation not only of the artistic creativity itself as the basic human expression, but cultural offer of Podgorica itself, which will further inevitably influence better tourism portraying of the Capital and its positioning on the map of the region and Europe in general. Genuine culture and art always eventually imply authenticity, and authenticity is the best guarantor of attention and attractiveness whether an individual or a collective is in question. Therefore, efforts to profile our city not only as an institutional centre of Montenegro, but also as a cultural epicentre which will provide its citizens and guests features that make every city, after all, a city, and it is all that is defined and unified under the concept of culture – concerts, plays, exhibitions, literary program and performances – so only in this way we can expect to achieve “better today for better tomorrow” both in the domain of culture and in the field of tourism offer of Podgorica.”
Mladen Krekić, architect
Tatjana Popović, Director of the Tourism Organisation Podgorica This year in the Capital there has been increase in the number of tourist visits by 18%, in comparison to the same period last year, and the duration of stay increased to 2.9% (from 1.9). “Taking into account that Podgorica is profiled to develop MICE tourism, i.e. a congress destination and that there is no specific seasonality of visits, in order to fill the newly opened hotel capacities it is necessary to organise larger number of events such as congresses, seminars, workshops, forums, sports competitions, concerts, fairs and more dynamic promotion of the tourist offer of the city through participation in fairs and exhibitions, roadshows, in the region and broader. Also, given that the dominant profile of visitors to the city is the business tourist, who stays 2 days on average, it is necessary to extend their stay through additional programs –mini trip programs/active holidays in nature, getting to know about cultural, gastro and wine offer, which at the same time provides the best reflection of the spirit of a city”, claims Ms. Popović. According to her, it is also necessary to work on better connectivity of hoteliers and tourist agencies through creation of mini trip programs for business tourists (culture, wine, eco, medical and adventure tourism). @MRTME
MORiT.me
Based on multi-year international experience, ideas on domestic terrain executed through reconstruction of the Podgorica Hotel, design of the Vardar Hotel in Kotor, Atlas Capital Centre, Hilton, CentreVille Podgorica, Porto Montenegro Marina, Telekom building and airports in Podgorica and Tivat, architect Mladen Krekić warns of the existing flaws of Podgorica as a congress tourism centre and proposes proved solutions of the already renown congress cities of Europe. According to the view of Mr. Krekić, Podgorica may become a centre of responsible tourism, i.e. tourism that is developed in line with the principles of social and economic justice with full observance of the environment and culture. Filling hotel capacities of the Capital, and also positive reflection on all economic branches that benefit from that fact, is primarily seen through the development of congress tourism, then fair trade tourism, adventure and eco-tourism, and last but not the least development of culture tourism. Mr. Krekić can picture Podgorica as a new centre of congress tourism, as a centre of special purpose fairs, and also as a camp base of tourism for weekend adventures. “Podgorica is currently developing potentials for great capacities, but at the moment it provides insignificant series of tourism activities or better to say none. A foreign or domestic tourist visiting Podgorica stays less than 24 hours on average. Therefore, the Capital has a great opportunity to be positioned as an interesting destination in the region, if all development plans and resources are harmonised, where accommodation capacities occupy a significant place. Also, a sustainable tourism model is a way how the Capital can enter the race and competition with the already renown congress cities of Europe.” Mr. Krekić sees marketing through new communication channels and tools: social networks, mobile applications, with virtual presentations of adventure activities and the like as extremely important for development of this area. 17
AIR-ACCESSIBILITY
and its significance for Montenegro e are witnesses to continuous growth and development of our destination, which is acknowledged in the reports by the World Travel and Tourism Council which has ranked us as one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world for several last years, and also in articles in many foreign media. What we have recognised as our path to even greater expansion of the destination is certainly the need for improvement of accessibility –by land, sea or air. Due to the distance of Montenegro from source markets that are considered important and which we want to attract to Montenegro – Western and Northern Europe, and also remote markets, special attention is paid to improved air-connectivity. According to the data by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) 54% travellers in 2014 arrived to their destinations by plane which confirms the significance of air traffic
W
Maja Kovačević, independent Advisor at the Directorate for Tourism Development and Standards 18
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
and air accessibility not only for tourism but for entire economy and society of a destination. According to the official statistics in the first eight months 2016 there have been 8 559 rotations to Podgorica and Tivat airports and 1,323,623 passengers arrived, which is respectively by 8.66% and 10% higher in relation to the same period last year. In 2013, the first low-cost airline company – Irish “Ryanair” commenced its flights to Montenegro, and then very shortly another two – British “EasyJet” and Hungarian “Wizz Air” (2016), which today connect us with six destinations - London, Brussels, Manchester, Munich, Milan and Berlin, via seven airports. They are multi-year projects, so further expansion of cooperation is expected through increase in traffic density at current routes, and also introduction of
4,86% more tourists inclusive of August this year
8,26% more tourists who
stayed at hotels inclusive of August
9,9% increase in the turnover of aircrafts inclusive of September 13,02% increase in the
number of motor vehicles on border crossings inclusive of September
15,5% increase in the turnover of vehicles through the tunnel Sozina inclusive of September 2,98% increase in the number of visitors to National Parks inclusive of September
@MRTME
MORiT.me
flights from some new destinations to Montenegro. The significance of these airlines is confirmed by the fact that flight occupancy is extremely high. Thus, in 2016 “Ryanair” had 173 rotations from Brussels, London (Stansted Airport) and Berlin and transported 56 197 passengers (average load factor – 90.12%). “EasyJet” had 84 rotations from Manchester and London (Gatwick) and transported 25 432 passengers (average load factor – 82.37%). “Wizz Air” that commenced flights on 20 August, by the end of September had 24 rotations from Munich and Milan and transported 15 287 passengers (average load factor – 77.72%). Wishing to review the significance of introducing the flights of low-cost airline companies for Montenegro, there is a “Research of impacts of operation of lowcost airline companies (LCC) in Montenegro” developed currently, in cooperation with UNDP in Montenegro, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the National Tourism Organisation. The completion of the analysis is expected at the end of October, and the objective is to make a review of current and future effects that introduction of LCC may have on Montenegro as a destination and its economy, and to form guidelines for further activities and incentives in this area. Significant novelty is the announcement by the Executive Director of the “Fly Dubai”, Gait al Gait, regarding the introduction of direct flights from Dubai to Montenegro in 2017. Through these flights Montenegro will get direct connection with the United Arab Emirates as a whole, which is particularly important if we take into account the size and potentials of that market. On the other hand, in 2016 “Fly Dubai” was declared the best low-cost airline company of Middle East. Based on signing of a codeshare agreement between “Montenegro Airlines” and “Air Serbia” there will be 32 new destinations accessible in North America, Near East, then Northern, Western and Central Europe, Russia and Eastern Mediterranean, which will additionally improve accessibility of Montenegro as a tourist destination to already accessible and also to some new markets. Owing to the above mentioned, and other direct and charter flights to Tivat and Podgorica, Montenegro is gaining increasingly good position and is more and more open to Europe and the world, and thus it is becoming an increasingly desirable tourist and investment destination on the world map 19
INTERVIEW Interview with Gil Stav, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at „ISRAIR TRAVEL & TOURISM“
EVEN MORE FLIGHTS PLANNED Israel is a Middle East country which according to the statistics of the World Bank from 2013 has the population of somewhat more than 8 million, and it is inhabited by members of three religions – Jews, Christians and Muslims. They are known as tourists with high purchase power. For the first time this year, and starting from 20 April there have been direct flights from Tel Aviv to Montenegro, i.e. airports Tivat and Podgorica, facilitated by the tour operator Israir Travel & Tourism. According to the statistics of JSC “Aerodromi” Crne Gore, by 2 October of the current year “Israir” had 51 rotations, transporting 7659 arriving and 7628 departing passengers, while cabin occupancy is at the level of 82.45% 20
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Could you please tell us shortly something more about the company Israir Travel & Tourism? - “Israir” is the largest tour operator in Israel, which also possesses its own aircrafts. The change in the Company began 5 years ago when the airline company “Israir” merged with tour operators “Natour” and “UNITAL”. In 2016, “Israir” is flying to more than 25 destinations, and organising tours to additional 50 destinations. How have you come up with an idea to start a project of organised flights to Montenegro? - Montenegro is a beautiful country with very friendly people. The moment we got a chance to start direct flights and agreed on reasonable prices with hoteliers, we decided to start the flights. We were also significantly supported by Mr. Nimrod Rinot, honourable consul of Montenegro in the state of Israel, who helped us find the right way to implement this project. When did you start the flights and until when will they take place? Are you satisfied with the results achieved so far? - We started with the flights at the end of April 2016, and the last flights are planned at the end of October this year. We started with one flight, and soon we reached 3 flights a week. Are you undertaking any marketing activities in Israel and can you tell us a bit more about the activities aimed at promoting flights to Montenegro. - We made a lot of efforts, and spent a lot of money too, when the market of Montenegro is in question. Although Montenegro is located at only 2 hour-flight from Israel, most people in Israel have never heard of Montenegro and what it has to offer. In order to change that, we brought many journalists to Montenegro, and also did a lot of advertising in Israel, on television, radio, in printed media, cinemas and even during basketball and football matches. Among media, I would particularly like to mention TV Channel 2, Israel Hayum, Yediot Aharonot, Globes Magazine, although advertising has been done by many others too.
@MRTME
MORiT.me
What are your observations when it comes to age groups that visited Montenegro through your Company? - I think that we managed to bring diverse groups of tourists to Montenegro – families, couples who seek to relax on the beach, and also many other diverse organised groups. On average, how long did they stay in Montenegro and what did they visit the most? - On average they stayed around 4 nights in Montenegro, and they mostly visited Montenegrin coast, while a number of tourists from Israel also visited mountain regions, as well as religious facilities and historical sights in Montenegro. During their stay in Montenegro, there were bus trips organised, according to two different programs. Both programs included visits to Boka Kotorska Bay, Lovćen and Njeguši, Cetinje, and Skadar Lake. One of the programs also included a range of other locations from Herceg Novi to Petrovac and all the tourists who opted for this program were accommodated in Budva or somewhere in Boka. The other program included visits to Biogradska Gora, the Tara River and Durmitor Region, and all those who chose this program had organised nights in Žabljak and Kolašin. Some of the groups visited the Ostrog Monastery too. What did they particularly like, and what not that particularly in Montenegro? - Tourists from Israel liked beautiful beaches, mountainous areas and hospitality of local people. Comments by the people who visited Montenegro are very good and there is no doubt that they will revisit it. What are your Company’s plans for Montenegro in the coming period? - With regard to the plans for 2017 we are to have even more flights, and according to the current plans there will be 3 to 4 flights a week. We have made significant efforts when it comes to marketing of Montenegro in Israel, but there is a lot work ahead of us in this field
21
INTERVIEW
WHAT IS THE LEGALIZATION of informal buildings? What is the COST and what are BENEFITS of legalisation? HOW TO LEGALISE a building? (part one)
22
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Radmila Lainović, head of the devision for Housing at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism
IN THE LONG RUN LEGALIZATION IS WORTH IT When will the process of regularization be started in Montenegro? - The Law entered into force on 31 August 2016, and shall be applied from 1 March 2017. Given its scope and the fact that it requires effective coordination of local and state authorities, the establishment of records of informal structures connected with the data of the Real Estate Administration and a completely clear system of administration and processing of applications, time was required for adequate preparation. What will be the average fee that will have to be paid, and how are the citizens expected to finance these obligations? - The fee will depend, firstly, on the municipality in which the structure is located, since all municipalities have specific regulations on the calculation of utility fees. It is calculated depending on the surface of the
@MRTME
MORiT.me
structure, the zone in which it is built, purpose and other criteria that are determined by decisions. Therefore, for basic housing facilities payment of the fee for utility equipping will be made in 240 instalments, if required by the illegal builder, and for the rest in 120 instalments. In addition to this obligation, payment of a fee for construction of the regional water supply system is anticipated in the municipalities of the Montenegrin coast. Besides that, a legalization fee is foreseen, which is 20% of the amount determined for the utility fee but which will not be paid for basic housing facilities. It is important to emphasize that a basic housing facility is a residential structure, with a total construction area of 200 m2, in which the owner of the informal structure and his family members live, who reside in the place where the informal structure has been built, and the owner and members of his family do not own or co-own another residential structure, i.e. a residential unit on the territory of Montenegro. In fact, all the conditions are cumulative and all must 23
be met in order for a structure to be considered a basic housing facility. The fee for utility equipping in an example of a structure of 150 m2 in Podgorica, in the first zone, according to preliminary calculation is about 21 thousand Euros, which divided into 240 monthly instalments is about 88 Euros per month, while in the fourth zone for a structure of the same surface the utility fee is about 9 thousand Euros, while the monthly instalment for 20 years would be about 40 Euros. In order to secure the growth of value of legalized structures in the process of legalization, which is also one of the goals of the process, it is stipulated that the collected funds from one area, or one informal settlement, are to be invested precisely in that area. This solution is significant from the motivation view point of illegal builders to enter into the process of regularization, for which except for legal compulsion, it is necessary to present and provide benefits from the process, which, ultimately, should be construction of the missing infrastructure and improvement of living conditions. What will happen if someone refuses to enter into the process of regularization? - The Law Proposal proscribes a deadline of 270 days for submitting applications, which we believe is more than enough. It is expected that a number of citizens will not apply, and in these cases they are threatened
for basic housing facilities payment of the fee for utility equipping will be made in 240 instalments, if required by the illegal builder, and for the rest in 120 instalments. In addition to this obligation, payment of a fee for construction of the regional water supply system is anticipated in the municipalities of the Montenegrin coast. Besides that, a legalization fee is foreseen, which is 20% of the amount determined for the utility fee but which will not be paid for basic housing facilities
24
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
by the application of criminal provisions of the Act, i.e. a penalty for a legal and/or natural person who has not submitted a request for legalization of an informal structure is proscribed. In addition to misdemeanour liability, owners of structure who do not want to apply will have to pay an annual fee, the amount of which shall not be less than the amount of the legally prescribed fees. Also, according to the Law on Property Tax, the municipalities are obliged to carry out measures of tax disincentives for illegal builders who maintain the status quo of their structures. Specifically, it is envisaged to increase the tax rate for structures constructed contrary to the law: 50% for basic housing facilities and up to 100% increase of the tax rate for secondary structures - residential or commercial. By applying these measures illegal builders will be encouraged to enter the process, because the tax rates and the anticipated annual fees will cumulatively exceed the amount proscribed by the process of regularization. How is the status of informal structures in protected areas regulated? What is the procedure for legalization of these structures? - Informal structures built in protected areas, through a plan of temporary informal structures, obtain a temporary status, which means that they will exist for a limited time in space, paying annual fees for the use of space, until the space has been brought to its purpose, and the planning document has been adopted. In fact, this is a transitional phase, since the final decision on the status of the structure is brought by adoption of the planning document. The key thing is that in this way all informal structures are registered and included in the system, that is, the status quo that is not in favour of the state or the local governments is eliminated. Do you see the regularization as amnesty for illegal builders from liability? - On the contrary. If you have by now had a large number of illegal structures, which have not been paying to the state what they owe it, and now you are introducing a good portion of these structures into a system of obligations in which they will pay the fee for utility equipping, some of them will even pay a special fee for legalization, and they will all pay taxes, I think we cannot talk about amnesty. It is quite the opposite goal - not allowing any further amnesty, enabling everyone to fulfil their obligations in a rational
The Law Proposal proscribes a deadline of 270 DAYS for submitting applications, which we believe is more than enough. It is expected that a number of citizens will not apply, and in these cases they are threatened by the application of criminal provisions of the Act, i.e. a penalty for a legal and/ or natural person who has not submitted a request for legalization of an informal structure is proscribed. In addition to misdemeanour liability, owners of structure who do not want to apply will have to pay an annual fee, the amount of which shall not be less than the amount of the legally prescribed fees
manner and in accordance with the budgets of Montenegrin citizens. What is the situation in other countries when it comes to legalization of structures? - To our knowledge, in Serbia the process of legalization of illegally built structures has been implemented, with different legal solutions for the past 15 years. A characteristic of the provided solutions is the introduction of all illegally built structures in a system, but also low fees for utility equipping. In Croatia, the process was initiated in 2011 and is being implemented at the level of the whole country, while the issue of institutional organization is different. Macedonia, too, for many years has been trying to solve the problem of illegal construction, and their legislative solutions focus on the registration of structures and the real estate cadastre and the amount of utility fees is negli-
@MRTME
MORiT.me
gible. Most countries in the region changed their legislation in this sector repeatedly trying to improve the efficiency and applicability of the envisaged solutions. In relation to comparative solutions, the Law on regularization introduced significant innovations such as introduction of the regularization procedure which involves integration of structures with the guidelines of the planning document. It is important to mention the obligation of providing alternative accommodation for the owners of informal basic housing facilities that do not meet the requirements of legalization and will be moved, which is one of the postulates of the Vienna Declaration, which promotes the principle of social inclusion and cohesion, as well as the obligation for the Parties to resolve the problem of informal construction on a regional level and contains a series of recommendations for dealing with this problem, which are largely incorporated in the Law on regularization of informal structures 25
INTERVIEW
Marko Čanović, Director General of the Directorate for Housing Development
PROJECT 1000+: Priority given to pensioners, young married couples, persons with disabilities and the citizens of Northern Montenegro
OLD APARTMENTS PART OF 1000+ OFFER The Project “1000+” in which as much as 674 Montenegrin households are participating is rated as one of the most successful Government projects. What will be the novelties of the Project “1000+” that will be implemented next year? - Towards the new phase of the project “1000+” we are preparing a platform that will allow the application process to be further simplified, banking procedures simpler and more effective, credit resources more accessible and the offer of apartments more diverse and cheaper through the inclusion of former constructed apartments in the offer of the project. This could also affect the price of new construction, which would be a great relief for citizens and on the other hand it could increase the demand for new apartments. This is what we concluded after years of experience on this project. At a meeting with representatives of the Development Bank of the Council of Europe (CEB) the results of the current phase of the 26
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
project “1000+”, the challenges we faced, as well as models to overcome them were analyzed. Citizens who are beneficiaries of the project “1000+” or are planning to be, do not have high spending power. Does the Ministry plan to further negotiate with the banks to lower interest rates? - So far, implementation of this project has influenced the decline in interest rates on housing loans, so we are expecting interest rates to record a downward trend long-term and continuously. As part of preparatory activities and the feasibility study for the next project, we will analyse the possibility for additional reduction of interest rates for long-term housing loans from banks that will participate in the project. For which target groups is the project intended? - One of the main objectives of the new phase of the project “1000+” is solving the housing problems of
674 VOUCHERS
ALLOCATED TO CITIZENS MORE THAT
1000 CITIZENS
WILL SOLVE THEIR HOUSING ISSUE BANKS REDUCED INTEREST RATES FROM 6% TO 8% TO A VARIABLE RATE OF
3.99%
I.E. A FIXED INTEREST RATE OF
4.99% AT THE MOMENT
pensioners, young married couples, persons with disabilities and the citizens living in Northern Montenegro. The legal basis for the adoption of a bylaw that will define priority target groups is found in Article 4 of the Law on Social Housing, in which, among others, are single parents, or guardians, persons with disabilities, persons over 67 years of age, young people who were children without parental care and families with children with disabilities. What is the success of this year’s project? - The current phase of the project has resulted in 674 vouchers allocated to citizens who are on the basis of the public tender eligible. The main objective has been fulfilled, i.e. more than 1 000 citizens, members of households who received vouchers will solve their housing issue. The project influenced banks to reduce interest rates on housing loans from 6% to 8% at the beginning of the project at the end of last year, to a variable 3.99% or a fixed interest rate of 4.99% at this moment. The first vouchers were allocated to priority target groups and then two groups of vouchers were distributed to young married couples, employed in the public sector and to others, and three groups of vouchers to citizens from the waiting list. Those who received vouchers have so far signed 370 preliminary contracts with construction companies in the amount of over 19 million Euros, while 275 loan
@MRTME
MORiT.me
contracts have been concluded with the banks, the value of which is close to 11.5 million Euros. The average value of a loan is 41.5 thousand Euros, and the average value of a preliminary contract is 51.4 thousand Euros. In the Public Sector category 205 vouchers have been allocated, of which 104 (50.73%) were implemented. Of 156 young married couples 76 (48.71%) of them realized their vouchers and in the others category, out of 126 allocated vouchers 55 (43.65%) have been realized. The primary objective of the project related to housing provision of the citizens of Montenegro was implemented both in the previous project, which was carried out in the period 2010-2011, and in this year’s project. A significant number of citizens with low and middle incomes, thanks to the terms of the project, i.e. the fixed interest rate of 3.99% for a period of 20 years, got a chance to solve their housing issue, which according to market conditions at the beginning of the project they would not be able to. We consider special success transparency of the project and an insignificant number of complaints from project participants, to which the Project Board responded within 48 hours to the benefit of the citizens who are users of vouchers. The project has also contributed for the construction sector to exit a long-term crisis, which will result in a more dynamic and voluminous inflow of funds in the state budget through the payment of contributions and taxes by construction companies 27
PRESS CLIPPING
FOREIGN MEDIA on Montenegro
28
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
@MRTME
MORiT.me
29
Marko Mirović, Advisor at the PR Department of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism
DIGITAL MARKETING and Montenegrin tourism
he digital age has revolutionized many industries and economic sectors, radically changing the way of business and customer activities, communication and marketing. The impact of the digital age has not bypassed tourism either, in which many things have been changed, from how people choose a destination or hotel, to new standards in communication with tourists. Today we have a situation when an online presentation of a company is necessary as much as the existence of a phone number where people can be informed about the offers. Over 83% of tourists browse for information about the place they plan to visit, hotels and restaurants through the Internet, i.e. social networks, while a large number decide to visit a specific destination or hotel just based on what other tourists are saying about them on social networks and specialized sites (Trip Advisor, Booking.com etc.). Over 75% of tourists today use social networks while travelling and transmit “live” their experience about the destination, and later leave a “review” on social networks or specialized sites. This allows tourism businesses to begin to communicate with potential visitors even before they come, but also by providing good service and communication make their visitors their promoters. Looking at these figures, it is logical that for a good online reputation it is not enough just to have an online presentation, but it is necessary to communicate well and to keep presenting what it is that you have to
T
30
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
offer. For, the online world comments will create your reputation, whether you are present in it or not. Social networks and specialized tourist sites are large bulletin boards where everyone can express their opinion. Research shows that 97% of people believe that the reviews on social networks and specialized sites are accurate, and thus bad reviews and bad experiences can have very harmful effects on a tourism business. On the other hand, encouraging visitors to transfer positive experiences brings new tourists, increases revenue but also creates brand awareness and a better connection between the destination and the one who visited it. How important online reviews of tourists are today, indicates the fact that Abu Dhabi introduced “online reviews” as a criterion in the categorization of hotels. We talked about this inexhaustible topic on the Digitalizuj.me panel discussion entitled “Digital marketing and Montenegrin tourism”, which was held on 29 September in Podgorica. The speakers were: Danilo Kalezić, PR Manager in “Porto MonteOVER 75% negro”, Maja Jaredić, Director of Digital TOURISTS Marketing at the US TODAY USE company “Flight MeSOCIAL NETWORKS dia”, Milan Perović, Marketing Manager of WHILE TRAVELLING hotels “Astoria” and
97% OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE REVIEWS ON SOCIAL NETWORKS AND SPECIALIZED SITES ARE ACCURATE
“Hemera” and myself, while the moderator was Sanja Gardašević from the organization Digitalizuj.me. In the introductory part of the panel we talked about the state of the tourism sector in digital marketing in Montenegro, after which it was concluded that there is ample room for further progress and potential that can be exploited. It was also emphasised that there are certain barriers that need to be overcome, such as lack of knowledge about the foundation of digital marketing and the opportunities it offers, but also fear from negative comments. However, with a good presentation of opportunities and the relation between investments and the benefits of this type of marketing, issues can turn into a competitive advantage. What was stated as a good thing is the fact that more and more tourist companies in Montenegro have a better performance on social networks and use digital marketing for promotional purposes. May Jaredić, as an answer to the question what the key steps in formulating a digital strategy of a hotel are, noted that the basic step from which one begins is a clear definition of the “ideal” hotel guest (where he comes from, what he does, what is his income, what he wants, etc.), and hence target group towards which marketing activities would be aimed. Danilo and Milan presented the difference in marketing strategies of nautical resorts and hotels. What was emphasized is that even today promotion by itself does not play a major role, but the content relevant to our target audience, as a means for keeping users’ attention on social networks at a time when they are “bombarded” by many promotional events. In addition to the content, what makes the difference is the way of
@MRTME
MORiT.me
communication that has to be two-way and dedicated to tourists, improving their experience or resolving any problems. As regards to the role of the state in attracting tourists, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the National Tourism Organisation are intensively working on it through both classic and digital marketing campaigns. In digital marketing, i.e. promotion on social networks, the campaign of Montenegro is based mainly on the “user-generated content” (especially Instagram), because tourists are the ones who best promote a destination by sharing their experience. This approach has until now given excellent results. Posts on the official accounts of the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro on social networks have in the past 12 months earned over 24 million impressions, with over 250 thousand comments from other users on social networks. These figures have been achieved by selecting the right content, constant communication in more than 5 languages, and a good promotion. The official hashtags on Instagram are #MontenegroWildBeauty and #GoMontenegro that have so far generated more than 20 000 photos on this network. You can follow the official profile of the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro on Facebook Montenegro Wild Beauty, on Instagram - GoMontenegro and on Twitter - @SeeMontenegro, while with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism you can communicate on Facebook - Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and on Twitter - @ MRTM 31
Common Kingfisher
tivat
SALINA 32
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Tatjana Jelić, Secretary of the Secretariat for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency, Municipality of Tivat
hile driving from the direction of the Tivat airport towards the southern part of the Tivat Municipality Krtola area, on the right side of the road, close to the sea, you will see a gate with the inscription “Rezervat Prirode Solila” (Nature Reserve Salina). For those who know how this site looked like before the not so distant ten years, a visit to the nature reserve wakes true feelings of a satisfied visitor, believing that we have, after many years of illegal waste disposal in the area of this natural rarity, however, showed that as a society we have still enough conscientiousness and responsibility for our own environment, and that the greatest lessons are learnt from our own mistakes. At the entrance there is a prefabricated little house, imagine, even with a solar panel, and completely organised surrounding area with space for resting. Let’s admit it is refreshing for the eye. And then another surprise: “Good day, dear guests, welcome to the special nature reserve “Tivat Salina””, the precious voice of dear Petra, the reserve guide, completely surprises you in this extraordinary feeling that you are not alone and that during today’s adventure you will have a word of an expert to walk you through everything
W
that this site offers. Solila is located in the Bokokotorski Bay, i.e. the Bay of Tivat. It is surrounded by Cape Brdišta and the Đuraševića Coast and on the one side, i.e. by the Adriatic Sea and the mountain Lovćen on the other side. The whole area is surrounded by Mala and Široka rivers. Salina visitors can enjoy breath-taking views of the Bokokotorski Bay and the adjacent islands (Sveti Marko, Our Lady of Mercy). By a Decision in 2008, this area has been protected as a distinctive, special nature reserve in order to preserve plant and animal species, primarily the ornithofauna. What does a special nature reserve in fact mean? It means that in this area the use of natural resources is strictly controlled, and that the activities in this reserve may be carried out to the extent that allows improvement of the state without degrading the environment, which is located in the reserve. It is located in the Adriatic migratory corridor and serves as the last resort and feeding place for migratory birds on their way south. For a number of bird species Salina is a winter resort. From a total of 342 bird species registered in Montenegro, 114 species have been registered in the very Salina. And even 109 observed species enjoy some form of protection. Besides birds and
Besides the main cultural and historical value, there are also rich archaeological sites here, i.e. fragments of pottery from the HellenisticRoman period, indicating that this area was also important in other historical periods. Detailed analysis of this segment is yet to be explored @MRTME
MORiT.me
33
The Little Stint
plants, 14 species of amphibians and reptiles are registered, of which three species are endangered at the global level. Also, in 2013 Tivat Salina was listed on the Ramsar list of the world’s protected areas. In addition, Salina is also an IBA area of international importance for birds. In addition to all the above-mentioned values Salina has a special cultural and historical value. Already at the first point of the ornithological route you will come upon a bird-watching tower, and you can see another one at the other end of Salina. These two towers were built within the ORNIBA project, funded by the European Commission. Here you can often encounter species such as gulls, Eurasian wigeon duck, wild duck, grey heron, hawk, little grebe and others. Those more persistent can through a birdwatching device, donated by the company “Adriatic Marinas”, enjoy the game of the Kentish Plover, kingfishers or red and small white herons. In the area of Solila there are no major natural predators for birds, however, a major threat to the birds and the living world, in general, is poaching, which in previous years was expressed to a greater extent. In Salina it is all about birds, namely, while standing on the embankment in the middle, your view is occupied by an island which, when looked at from a bird’s eye view, has the shape of a heart. This island is also called the Island of love and it is a real love nest for 34
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
birds. Of course, there is a lot of symbolism in this area and it witnesses a number of lover bird pairs who give their love vows exactly on this island, and this seems to make the experience of the reserve even more complete. However, if you see a bird, and you do not know which specie it is, beside the guide Petra, who generously shares her knowledge, ornithologists from the Centre for Protection and Study of Birds are often staying here, who with special enthusiasm enrich the knowledge of all visitors. Under the influence of the sea, you can see halophyte-marsh vegetation that exists on the salty muddy-clayey ground. This type of vegetation comprises of plants that have adapted to salt and salty ground. And because of that they are very specific. The most important among them is the plant Salicornia that decorates Salina in red colour. During autumn, this plant has a very red colour that makes this entire environment even more beautiful and attractive. On the other side, and opposite the sea and the salty muddy-clayey ground, there is an area that is under the influence of fresh water of the nearby rivers. Salt water penetrates less into these parts and the vegetation in this area is more influenced by fresh water. This freshwater vegetation also gives a special charm to Salina, especially during spring and summer, when everything becomes green and blossoms. In this peri-
Grey Heron
HOW WAS SALT HARVESTED? Salt harvesting was usually carried out from April to October, that is, in the sunny period of the year, when it is very hot. Salt water entered through channels, the channels would then be closed with wooden obstacles and under the influence of sunlight there would be water evaporation. On the impermeable clay soil when the water evaporates, the salt would be collected or harvested. The first layer of salt, the surface, was called the “flower of salt� and it had a special aroma and taste
@MRTME
MORiT.me
35
TIVAT SALINA is an oasis of peace, not only for birds but also for people. Today it is a recognized eco-destination with the potential for development of different forms of tourism (egg. bird watching as one of the most popular forms of tourism in the world). It must be admitted that, thanks to the joint action of both the Municipality of Tivat, the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management and the Centre for Bird Protection and Study, supported by some NGOs and of course, the very important donations primarily from the European Union, through a number of projects od there are frequent scenes of yellow fields of Spanish broom, which attract the eye of every passer-by. The hills around Salina are decorated by specific Mediterranean macchia and mixed scrub. From the next observation tower you can see the Široka River which is characteristic because it flows into the sea, where salt and fresh water mix, which is suitable for spawning of mullet. Existing data suggest that precisely this river is one of the key hatcheries of mullet in this area. There are plans to carry out testings precisely in this river in order to know which other species of fish live here and spawn. The Široka River is certainly ideal for developing a variety of sports and recreational activities. Otherwise, the nature reserve itself is rich with levees from the old saltern, hence the name Salina. Namely, in the Middle Ages, in the Tivat Salina there was a saltern. During this period the saltern was part of the town of Kotor. Knowing that salt is one of the main food items it also had trade importance. During the exchange of goods, salt had the greatest value. People who worked in this saltern were considered to be very rich, because with the salt they brought they could get the most of other foods for their families. The saltern had its biggest boom in the Ottoman Empire. In the 17th century as much as 81% of the total income of the local population was out of this saltern, where there were about 300 salt pan workers, and almost all the locals lived from salt harvesting. The aforementioned is testified by today’s remains of saltern pools 36
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Purple Heron
Bar-tailed Godwit
The Little Egret
Great Bittern
@MRTME
MORiT.me
37
Vasilije Prelević, Advisor at the Directorate for Tourism Destination Management
The Project “All the wonders of Montenegro” enriches the tourism product
Knowing ourselves
BRINGS US CLOSER TO OTHERS Have we asked ourselves how many undiscovered secrets and development potentials a large number of caves, hidden coves, forests and rainforests have? The enormous wealth of the flora and fauna in a small area is not something which a large number of countries can boast about
T
he Project “All the wonders of Montenegro” will contribute to diversification of the Montenegrin tourism product, both in content and in geographical terms, will provide an opportunity to launch new small businesses, create new jobs in tourism and agriculture, activate rural areas and provide an additional opportunity for many farmers households to sell domestic products on their doorstep. Successful implementation of the project will have provided the content (software) that will complete another project that is being prepared in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism named “A Good Host”. The idea is to train all tourism workers who work in the “front line” with tourists to convey their most beautiful Montenegrin stories, which will wake up the guest’s emotion and make him visit some of the newly renowned sites. This is one of the goals of this project – for a story, a 38
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
legend, to awaken an emotion in tourists, in order for them to visit our country again and, of course, recommend Montenegro as a tourist destination. Are we aware what the cultural value of sanctuaries of the three great religions, which history fused into a small place is? What is their sociological value? Have we asked ourselves how many undiscovered secrets and development potentials a large number of caves, hidden coves, forests and rainforests have? The enormous wealth of the flora and fauna in a small area is not something which a large number of countries can boast about.
PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES
The Public call for the Project “All the wonders of Montenegro” was announced on July 17 this year, and has so far received more than 130 applications. Most of the applications received are from the north, whi-
From the presentation in Plav
ch is particularly pleasing because tourism development of this part of the country is one of the main priorities of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the Government of Montenegro. In fact, almost every Montenegrin village, forest - has its particularity and its own story. Where there is no story, or no one to tell it, we need to help for it to be created, that is, to be told. After all, all legends were created once, so why shouldn’t they be created in our time? The first deadline for opening of bids was 15 August. Given that it was the period of vacations and holidays, and many potential applicants, including students, have not had the time or were not sufficiently informed about the project, the deadline was extended until 27 October. One of the possibilities is for the competition to always be
or) is located at el, lev 2090 meters above sea k and Karanfil that connects peaks Očnja
Šuplja vrata (The HollowonDoa mountain pass
@MRTME
MORiT.me
open, so that the list of “All the wonders of Montenegro” could be updated from year to year, and the whole tourism product of Montenegro continually improved. After announcement of the public call and extension of the deadline for submission of bids, the promotional caravan “All the wonders of Montenegro” visited a large number of Montenegrin municipalities, where presentations were organised, which were attended by representatives of educational institutions, local tourism organizations, and tourism workers and media representatives.
PROMOTIONAL CARAVAN
So far, the caravan visited Žabljak, Cetinje, Mojkovac, Šavnik, Nikšić, Herceg Novi, Budva, Podgorica, Bijelo Polje, Plav and Rožaje, and the expert team from the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism had the opportunity to present and further acquaint the attendees with the project and the benefits it brings. The promotional caravan encountered a more than positive attitude of those present, who have shown determination and desire, with their ideas, to contribute to better and more successful implementation of the project. At the presentations ideas for valorisation of various sites could be heard, such as The Legend of Mirišta in Herceg Novi, Ivan town in Cetinje, canyon of the river Mrtvica and the “Wish Gate” in Kolašin, the natural portrait of John F. Kennedy in a rock by the river bank of Morača, the story about the Vizier’s mosque, the legend of Derman Dol 39
The Legend of Mirišta
, when time was According to legend, in the region of Boka s, which were tribe l smal measured differently, lived many ctor of prote the a Dian ess godd The constantly at war. ict, so confl ry cessa Boka, got tired of continuous and unne Boka in l vesse each ned confi h whic she conjured the storm not cease until did storm The inlet. tiful beau l, smal a into beautiful inlet was all of them had been reconciled, and this as the legend then, Since r). make e (peac ta Miriš named fight again. r neve will ta, says, who reconciles in Miriš
amount of 100, 300 and 500 Euros, depending on the category for which it applied. The Investment and Development Fund shall, in accordance with its procedures, support the selected business ideas with credit loans, in accordance with the credit line that was created for this purpose. The amount of credit funds would amount to 5 000 Euros depending on the business idea, with the terms and conditions that range: Promotion of the project in Mojkovac
in Rožaje, as well as one of the natural wonders of Montenegro – the unique rock formation ”Šuplja Vrata” (The Hollow Doors) (sometimes called “Mačiji Poljubac” (Cat Kiss)), in the Prokletije mountains. The promotional caravan “All the wonders of Montenegro” will end its activities in Nikšić, followed by appointment of an expert jury of 11 members, chaired by the prominent Montenegrin historian Živko Andrijašević. The newly formed expert jury will be entrusted a very demanding task, which is to choose one of the received applications as the best, which will create the conditions for successful implementation of new projects in tourism.
AWARDS AND SUPPORT
The prizes are as follows: for the 1st place 2000 Euros, for the 2nd place 1500 Euros and for the 3rd place 1000 Euros. In addition to this, for all the accepted applications purchase prizes will be awarded in the 40
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
- Interest rate from 1 to 1.5 per cent (for entities that implement projects in the municipalities of the northern region and in less developed towns, the interest rate will be 1 percent, and for those projects implemented in other municipalities, the interest rate will be 1.5 percent on an annual basis), - Repayment period up to 6 years, including a grace period of 12 months. It should be noted that this project is not typical, the commercial component of the project is not dominant, because the project should be a mechanism for motivating and waking-up initiatives from citizens in valorising the values of Montenegro. The life truth as old as the world is: only when we get to know ourselves we are able to do make ourselves attractive to others. Let’s find out the secrets that surround us, let’s use our imagination and choose the right words. All legends were once created, so why shouldn’t they be created in our time
@MRTME
MORiT.me
41
Dragica Mirjačić, agricultural producer from Nikšić
CORNEL food and medicine y home has always been distinguished by a good family tradition of preparing a great winter store. My mother in law, who was a woman in good shape for her age, used to prepare a lot of tasty things, even though back then we had neither a freezer nor any village stores. Some of the things I have learnt from her, some from my mother, and later on I spread that knowledge with the intention of raising my kids on healthy, organic food that our ecological country is full of. I would prepare winter store for family and friends, and then I realised that I could sell a certain amount, thus reinforcing our family budget. Since I believe doing everything at the same time is not acceptable, we decided to try selling cornel products, considering we had around 50 old cornel trees at our country state in Bršno - a place located around 12 km from Nikšić. Even 10 years ago my hus-
M
42
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
band believed that products made of this unjustly forgotten fruit had good perspective as a human grocery. As years went by, our production grew bigger, together with our need to get specialised machines, get adequate production space, storage for our products, packing, cold storages etc. It was very difficult, as any beginning, but our faith in a good idea was what pushed us to go forward. Cornel is just as much a medicine as it is a top healthy grocery. The fact that its root, crust, leaf, fruit and even stone are being used in the pharmaceutical industry is a guarantee of quality. It is also well known that a longevity product made of cornel used to be prepared for China rulers, 2000 years BC. Cornel was a trademark of God Krone, pharaohs called it divine fruit, and Romulus stuck a cornel branch into the ground when he decided to build Rome.
We also began visiting trade fairs and selling exhibitions at the moment when our production and number of consumers started to grow. By gaining an organic production certificate, I have become recognizable within the state and broader. There are around 10 coffee shops and restaurants that sell my products. “Bonella” store in Atlas Capital Centre and “Voli” offer cornel products, as well as a few stores on the coast. I will emphasise two great examples: “Paradiso“ from Podgorica and “Kamelija“ store from Kotor that buy my products and hold terrific presentations dedicated to cornel only. What worries me still, is that none of the hotels buy organic juices, even though a lot of them claim that they offer their guests with organic food. One of the hotel manages from Budva even told me that he actually did not need organic products, since “Fanta” and “Coca Cola” are well sold. On the other hand, some commercial centres ask for 100 euros registration fee in order to provide a 90x90cm stand size during healthy food trade fair. Basically, it means that I should be able to sell at least 30l of juice, just in order to be able to pay that fee. Still, these are rare and bad examples, and I am convinced that this whole healthy food story will be spread fast. I recognise some very good activities within the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the National Tourism Organization that altogether contribute to raising consciousness on the necessity of tying the tourist offer of this region with a healthy food offer. Good from Montenegro – for good things in Montenegro. Ten years of preparing, processing and selling cornel products, make me very happy. We – my son and I - can afford a decent life out of this business. I hope that the time that comes will be even better, and that is why each year we plant a dozen of new trees. During a recently finished manifestation called “Cornel Days” in Nikšić, I saw a sign on one of the stands that told: “Plant a cornel wherever you can”. Cornel is classified as a forest fruit, but it is also time for that classification to be changed, because there are many states that grow cornel on plantations. And while cornel slowly finds its way to Montenegrin kitchens through the widely open door of the tourism offer, I wish you all to be, as we Montenegrins say, “Healthy as a cornel” @MRTME
MORiT.me
Cornel Jam recipe Mash clean and ripe cornel. Add 20% of sugar and stir occasionally during a 24 hour period. Pour it in glass jars and keep it in a cold place. Thanks to its chemical composition, this uncooked jam can last up to three years if kept in a dark and cold place.
43
INTERVIEW MARA VUKANIĆ, ”ZOR” GALLERY
ZOR GALLERY a place where tradition meets modern
44
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Old crafts like knitting, crocheting and embroidery seem to live only in the memories of our grandmothers. Reviving them, commercialising tradition in a way that seems approachable to young people as well as to the ones who refuse to forget it, is an actual heroic act nowadays. That is the topic we have opened with Mara Vukanić, whose boldness to sell traditional handmade crafts and items has inspired us to make this interview How did you come up with the idea to open a gallery? Opening a gallery like this was not an easy task, but, two and a half years ago, we decided to do it. At the time we already had some of the items finished, and then, considering that this was not a one person job because it includes 100 products and 10 types of embroidery, we decided to get more people involved. The thing is that this job requires a large number of different crafts, like bookbinding, glass painting etc. and these are all crafts that I personally do not work on. It was interesting at the beginning, when we first opened a gallery, because everyone was interested in us and was coming to the store, even though the process was slower than we anticipated. In the end, people started to buy, and at the same time we started working on thematic crafts, in order to boost the sail. So now, for example, we have a New Year’s programme that includes special decorations, door festoons, table decorations and cutlery. Are the customers more interested in traditional motives or in something modern, and what do you have to offer when it comes to traditional items? After a six months experience, we started thinking about what would be the most affordable thing to
@MRTME
MORiT.me
45
46
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
have at the store. That is how we started selling Montenegrin motives and, to our satisfaction, they sold very well. Now they make 90% of our sale, compared to all of our other, more luxurious items. When it comes to traditional cloth items, we have national costumes, some items that are meant mostly for a present, such as hats, belts, sashes, handmade silk scarves, cases for glasses, and smaller and bigger bags for change, once known as tobolci etc. It also seems important to mention that blouses are made of three kinds of material: cotton, viscose and so called cenar. Cotton blouses are made by me, whilst the others are made by my co-workers because it is difficult for me to get a “golden thread”, and that can be done only by someone who has been in this job for years. It takes four to five metres of cenar to make a single blouse What is the profile of your buyers? Also, are you satisfied with how things are going, do you consider that this kind of job has a future? We were convinced that our buyers would be people from around 40 years or older, but now we have also young people coming, and they are delighted with things from the store. We are especially glad that young girls, 15 to 16 years old, are interested in these kinds of items. When it comes to the perspective of this job, for now we “are surviving”, which means we manage to sustain the store. Two years have passed, and of course some changes have happened, like for example widening of our offer. Besides that, a larger number of people know about us, even though we
@MRTME
MORiT.me
did not spend a great deal of money on marketing and commercials, since they require significant financial resources. It seems that good recommendations, as well as flyers and satisfied customers, had the greatest impact on our promotion. When a customer recommends you, it means you have quality as well as design. Is the store visited by foreigners? When it comes to foreigners, they come by when they spot the gallery in the street, but I believe we would have even more foreign visitors if we were located on the coast. You have told me that you were trying to incorporate Montenegrin design into something new, thus making it more modern and appealing to the younger generations? Just now we are working on one of such unique project – notebook planners. Our bookbinder is currently working on some interesting details and monograms for it. We also do embroidery of alphabet and cross-stitches, whose design is also very beautiful. Embroidered alphabet is a really unique thing and a fantastic item that deserves to be a present for every new schoolboy and schoolgirl or a decoration on every classroom wall. It would also be nice to have a space, whether the one that belongs to a school or to some institution, where the items from our rich history and culture would be exhibited
47
EVENTS
in November
South region: KOŠTANJADA - CHUSTNUT CELEBRATION
KOŠTANIJADA - CHUSTNUT CELEBRATION
PLACE: Kotor
PLACE: Ostros, Bar
TIME: 6th November
TIME: First half of November
This event is very important for agricultural promotion, as well as promotion of the tourism and cultural heritage of Krajina, which is covered with over 20 000 chestnut trees. Plus, chestnut forests are protected by the law.
48
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Chestnut celebration in Kotor
x
Old olive encounters
MASLINIJADA – OLIVE CELEBRATION PLACE: Old Bar TIME: Second half of November
This event is a review of some of the famous products from this area: olives, olive oil and citruses, completed with an exhibition of national costumes and a cultural and educational programme.
OLD OLIVE ENCOUNTERS PLACE: Bar TIME: Second half of November
Traditional event held in November since 1987, is dedicated to children’s creativity. During this manifestation children present themselves with literary and painting works the theme of which is: “Olive, peace, friendship”.
@MRTME
MORiT.me
49
The best of Montenegro in Delta City
x
Pet Vet
Beauty days
Pet Vet Beginning of DEUS
Central region THE BEST FROM MONTENEGRO PLACE: Podgorica, Delta City
PLACE: Podgorica, Delta City
TIME: 5th and 6th November
TIME: 12th and 13th November
During this event, producers of wine, olive and olive oil, honey, Montenegrin smoked ham –prosciutto, milk and dairy products, herbal medicines and organic products, will be gathered here with the aim to promote and preserve homemade products.
VI ANTIKO BAZAR
50
BEAUTY DAYS
Cosmetics, aesthetics and beauty care fair “Beauty Days”, will be the right place for all those that take care of the way they look It will gather producers, representatives and distributors of the most famous cosmetic and hairstyling brands. Exhibitors from Montenegro but also from abroad, will present their products and services.
III FAIR ITEMS BAZAAR
PLACE: Podgorica, “Bazar“ Mall
PLACE: Podgorica, “Bazar“ Mall
TIME: 5th and 6th November
TIME: 12th and 13th November
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
PET&VET PLACE: Podgorica, Delta City TIME: 19th and 20th November
BOŽIDAR VUKOVIĆ PODGORIČANIN PLACE: Podgorica, Modern Gallery – Museums and Galleries or Culture and Information Centre Budo Tomović TIME: End of November
During this fair of equipment, food, cosmetics and care products for pets, named “Pet&Vet”, there will also be some interesting accompanying content, during which everyone will have the opportunity to get info on pets, get some discounts and win awards, but also to adopt a pet. Educational activities on how to take care of our pets, followed by detailed instructions of experts in this field, will be the focus.
UNIVERSAL CHILDREN’S DAY PLACE: Podgorica, “Bazar“ Mall and “Zujalica” game room TIME: 20th November
TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATICS AND DIGITAL EQUIPMENT FAIR PLACE: Podgorica, Delta City
Having in mind the significance of Božidar Vuković Podgoricanin’s personality, as well as book print activities related to him, the Municipal Secretariat for Culture and Sports is organizing this manifestation for the first time. Its aim is to remind of the book print activities in Montenegro.
DECEMBER ART SCENE DEUS PLACE: Podgorica, KIC (Culture and Information Centre) Budo Tomović, KIC Zeta, KIC Golubovci and KIC Malesija; National Library “Radosav Ljumović”; Modern Gallery – Museums and Galleries; Kuslev’s House; “Art” Gallery TIME: End of November, December
DEUS programme is composed of different content related to art, music, film, multimedia, literary and drama area, as well as literary encounters. Diversity of the DEUS programme is achieved through cooperation with representatives of culture centres outside Montenegro.
TIME: 26th and 27th November
During this third Telecommunications, Informatics and Digital Equipment Fair, innovations in the area of modern technologies will be presented. Visitors will also have the opportunity to get information on the newest mobile phones models, computers and other digital equipment, as well as ideas for “smart” homes and hotels. @MRTME
MORiT.me
NOTE: Organizers keep the right to change the dates, or cancel the event, in case of unfavourable weather conditions or other objective reasons 51
NEWLY OPENED 4 AND 5 STAR HOTELS IN 2016 “CENTREVILLE HOTEL & EXPERIENCES” Hotel „CentreVille Hotel & Experiences” is part of the mixed use complex, known as “The Capital Plaza”. Part of the “Abu Dhabi Financial Group” and “Abu Dhabi Capital Group” group from the United Arab Emirates have successfully opened the hotel “CentreVille Hotel & Experiences” Podgorica that belongs to the hotel group “H Hospitality Collection“. It is a four star hotel, and is specialised as a “Business and Leisure Object”. It has 122 accommodation units, with 246 beds. It offers restaurant facilities named the “Living Room” and the “Dining Room”, three congress rooms, meeting rooms,
a Spa and Wellness centre, as well as a Fitness centre as part of “The Capital Plaza” complex, that provide guests unforgettable experience.
“HILTON“ “Hilton”- a five star hotel, is located in the administrative centre of the Capital, and was built at the place where once the “Crna Gora” hotel was. It has 180 accommodation units, with 360 beds. Its guests can enjoy a variety of the dishes and drinks, the „Sky Bar“-at the eight floor with a view of the entire city, “Crna Gora” restaurant, Fontana terrace, as well as “Cigar” club. When it comes to weddings, meetings and other events, the hotel has to offer one of the largest auditorium capacities in Podgorica, containing five meeting and conference rooms. The so called “Crystal Room”, 425m2 large, which can receive up to 435 guests, is also part of the offer. “Hilton” has one of the largest spa centres
“VERDE“ “Verde” is a four star hotel, located at the shore of the Sitnica River, not far from the city centre, combining comfort, luxury and extraordinary service. The cosy atmosphere of modern rooms, traditional Montenegrin and international cuisine and a pleasant staff are at service to all visitors during their stay. The hotel has 81 accommodation units, and guests have a Spa&Wellness centre, a restaurant, sports hall and conference rooms at their disposal.
52
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
in the city - Duklja Spa, which spreads out onto 1300 m2 on the ground floor, entresol and first floor, and it is designed in accordance with the newest fitness trends. It contains an indoor pool, amongst other things. Most of these commodities are also available to the ones that are not accommodated at the hotel.
“LA ROCHE“ “La Roche“ is a luxury 5 star hotel in Tivat. It is ideally located, only 3km away from the international airport Tivat and 150m away from the luxury complex “Porto Montenegro” on the city promenade, at the very coast and with a hotel beach. It was built in a classic manner, with nine very cosy rooms, designed to impress even the most demanding guests. Every room is equipped in a luxury manner, with a balcony, view of the seaside
or the mountains. The guests also have at their disposal a spa centre with a Turkish bathroom, sauna, sauna bench, and a massage as part of the offer. The hotel also has an open pool located on the hotel roof, with a beautiful view of the bay, and an elegant coffee bar and beach bar. The cocktail bar is reserved for owners of a membership card and hotel guests. The restaurant is international, with a broad menu including meat, and focusing on natural and organic indigents. The wine list is specially designed to meet all criteria and tastes
“SOKOLINE” This small 4 stars hotel is located by the new road towards Danilovgrad, near the Ostrog monastery, at the “Sokoline” place, where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Bjelopavlića plain and Zeta River, as well as lower and upper Ostrog monastery. It has 8 accommodation units (18 beds), and a restaurant with a beautiful terrace. The restaurant has mainly national courses, and its capacity, together with the terrace, is up to 250 persons. Besides that, the guests have a souvenir shop and healthy food shop with national products at their disposal. Facilities related to fun for the youngest are in preparation. The hotel also has sufficient capacities when it comes to parking space, as well as part of the offer related to persons with special needs. @MRTME
MORiT.me
53
”GORICA” ADVENTURE PARK In the heart of Gorica, no far from the city centre, in the oasis of peace and quiet, the “Gorica” adventure park can be found. It is a place for enjoyment, rest, relaxation and recreation, and it is meant for all age-spans and shape levels. EVERY CHALLENGE LASTS UP TO 90 MINUTES The Park has five tracks, starting from the yellow one that is two metres high, and is meant for five-year olds or older, up to the so called black track that is 12 metres high. Besides these adventure park tracks, there is also an artificial climbing rock for all of those people who want to try out a new adventure. There is an open usage gym within the Park, as well as a playground that is currently under construction. The Park owns new equipment made of belts, helmets and gloves, and there are licensed instructors whose job is to equip and help participants on the tracks. The adventure park project has mostly been financed by the “Explorer” company from Kolašin, and one part has been financed through the credit line of the IRF (Investment and Development Fund) of Montenegro. 54
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016
Working h our 8AM - 11 s PM PRICE There is a special price of 5€ for youngsters, whilst the ticket price for 9-14 years old participants is 8€ @MRTME
MORiT.me
For older participants eager to dive into adventure, the price is 10€ 55
56
TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT - November 2016