Bulletin No. 87, August 2009

AN EXTRACT FROM THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF MONTENEGRO UNTIL THE YEAR 2020
“A decisive aspect of investments into high quality accommodation capacities is the respect for nature protection, energy efficiency and the
use of renewable energy. All these problems are not seen as limitations,
but as an inevitable contribution to expected high standard.”
PUBLISHERS:
TABULAR OVERVIEW OF RESULTS OF
TOURISM TURNOVER FOR THE FIRST
EIGHT MONTHS OF 2009
GOVERNMENT OF
MONTENEGRO
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
Minister:
Mr. Predrag Nenezić
Secretary of the Ministry:
Mrs. Željka Radak Kukavičić
Achieved turnover *
I-VIII 2009/2008.
PR:
Mrs. Jelena Paović
Address:
Rimski trg 46
81000 Podgorica
Montenegro
Phones:
+382 (0)20 482 333
+382 (0)20 482 334
+382 (0)20 234 116
Fax:
+382 (0)20 234 168
E-mail:
[email protected]
Web site:
www.mt.gov.me
NATIONAL TOURISM
ORGANISATION OF
MONTENEGRO
Managing Director:
Mr. Saša Radović
Address:
Rimski trg 47
81000 Podgorica
Montenegro
Phone:
+382 (0)20 235 155
Fax:
+382 (0)20 235 159
Call center:
1300
E-mail:
[email protected]
Web site:
www.montenegro.travel
2.
This Bulletin is printed on
recycled paper.
August 2009
Number of overnights
6.385.921
97.95
641.365
95.47
5.744.556
98.24
Tourists
979.482
100.00
- International
861.320
100.59
- Local
118.162
95.92
430.000.000
100
- Local
- International
Revenues** (€)
* Official data of Monstat for seven months and estimation of tourist inspection for
August
** Estimated revenues according to the Methodology of the Central Bank
PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON
THE CURRENT TOURIST SEASON
August 10
The Minister of Tourism, Predrag Nenezić and the Director of the National Tourist Organisation, Saša Radović, held a conference on August 10 on the current tourist season and the
results achieved in the first seven months.
The Minister Nenezić pointed out that the global economic crisis, which has not bypassed our country either, partly slowed us down, but not to the extent
anticipated. In seven months, we have had only five
percent less tourists than in the same period last year,
and the number of overnights is lower by seven percent. This is a very good trend. The current level of
visits is by five percent better than the last year’s
which boosts optimisms that this minus will reduce
even further. We rely on good announcements for
September, and we hope to have good weather on
our side to extend the season on September and October. So, we can count now with stronger optimism
that this year’s turnover and revenues from tourism
will come closer to the last year’s. This means that
Montenegro should generate half a billion euro from
tourism this year.
All tourist destinations, both the ones on the coast
and the ones in the
All tourist destinations, both the
north of the Reones on the coast and the ones
public, report very
in the north of the Republic, regood level of visits
port very good level of visits in
in these August
these August days. The total
days. The total
number of registered tourists
number of regisbefore the last weekend reached
tered tourists bethe number of 110.000. Only
fore
the
last
Budva Riviera reports the stay of
weekend reached
52.600 tourists which is almost
the number of
as many as in the rest of Mon110.000.
Only
tenegro together. This is by five
Budva Riviera repercent higher than this time
ports the stay of
last year.
52.600
tourists
which is almost as
many as in the rest of Montenegro together. This is by five
percent higher than this time last year. Ulcinj and Herceg
Novi also report better level of visits than in August 2008, as
well as Žabljak, which reports these days a record number
of tourists, who arrived to air spa from different meridians.
Minister Nenezić reminded that this year’s tourist offer of
Montenegro is enriched with 38 new, mainly small, hotels of
the total capacity of 2.500 beds.
The Director of the NTO, Saša Radović, pointed out that numerous well-known world media publish articles these days
with extremely positive content on Montenegro and its tourist
offer. He said that journalists from the region and countries
in the world still stay in Montenegro and announced promotional packages for post-season, reminding that hotel keepers offer 20 percent lower prices for that period than the
current prices.
No one in Montenegro can be unsatisfied with the number of
tourists and the turnover that we have had so far during the
season and I hope there will be no room for dissatisfaction
with the revenues generated by the end of the year, said the
Minister of tourism Predrag Nenezić.
The Director of the NTO, Saša Radović, pointed out
that numerous well-known world media publish articles these days with extremely positive content on
Montenegro and its tourist offer.
August 2009
3.
August 20
The Minister of tourism, Predrag Nenezić, and the Director of the National Tourist Organisation, Saša Radović, held the second August press conference on August 20th in premises
of the Ministry of Tourism.
Montenegrin tourism has demonstrated a
high level of vitality by adjusting to conditions of the economic crisis, while publicprivate partnership proved to be the right
recipe for the current situation, said the
Minister of tourism, Predrag Nenezić.
This year, the Government had to play a
more important role in tourism, and due
to that we succeeded to overcome the
biggest obstacle so far in implementing
the Strategy of Tourism of Montenegro,
which is confirmed by achieved results,
thinks Nenezić.
He said that the season was as expected,
and that more tourists stayed in Montenegro at the moment than in the same
month of most of previous years, while
Budva, Herceg Novi and Ulcinj report the
best occupation rate of capacities.
The Minister Nenezić pointed out improved offer in terms of sanitation and road infrastructure, safety,
water supply, and the content of cultural programme.
He is especially satisfied with the number of guests staying in the
mountains of Montenegro, which hosted, according to his words,
the most tourists in the last 15 years.
Nenezić said that this was an additional encouragement to the
Government and investors to create even better conditions for
the stay of tourists in mountainous regions of Montenegro.
tre Durmitor must be finalized. He said that could lead
to various consequences, from the beginning of the reconstruction of the building to termination of the Contract with current owners of some hotels in Žabljak, and
there are legal preconditions for this.
Nenezić believes that next month will be good as well
tourism-wise, while the occupation of capacities will be
sound, and the total results will be at the level of last
year’s results.
Minister Nenezić: ”I believe that we are among the best in the region
this year, but we would like other neighbouring countries to achieve
good results as well”
”I believe that we are among the best in
the region this year, but we would like
other neighbouring countries to achieve
good results as well”, added Nenezić.
According to his words, the idea of elite
tourism in Montenegro, despite this crisis
year, remained complete, while the number of elite tourists who visited the country
is satisfactory. There will always be a part
of the offer which will be elite, and which
we have missed completely so far, pointed
out Minister of tourism Predrag Nenezić.
Saša Radović, the Director of the NTO: “According to estimations,
Montenegro will be visited by between 380 and 400 thousand tourists
this month, and we will have one million registered tourists by the end
of August”
He reminded that Spatial Plan for the region of Durmitor should
be finalized soon, which will allow construction of new and the
reconstruction of existing hotels.
4.
Once these preconditions are created, hotel owners in Žabljak
will be able to implement their investment intentions, said Minister Nenezić and pointed out that the procedure is addressed by
the Commercial Court, but the project of privatization of Ski Cen-
August 2009
The Director of the National Tourism Organisation
(NTO), Saša Radović, reported that the turnover of travellers, vehicles, air traffic and vessels at the same level
as in previous weeks, which is a good indicator because, as he explained, it shows that the so-called peak
of the season will be extended.
According to estimations, Montenegro will be visited
by between 380 and 400 thousand tourists this month,
and we will have one million registered tourists by the
end of August, said Radović.
He addressed once again service providers in tourism
to adjust their prices to post-season in order to have it
successful.
INTERVIEW OF MINISTER
NENEZIĆA TO VEČERNJE
NOVOSTI
NTO already started promoting post-season on international markets, and the offer of Montenegro will
soon be presented on the market in Paris.
The Minister of tourism pointed out in his interview to Večernje
Novosti that hotels in Montenegro, at least most of them, would
reduce prices in post-season by 20 to 30 percent, and the message is still valid for all involved in tourism – hotel owners, owners of private accommodation, parking and beach leaseholders –
to adjust their pricing policies to the best possible results in September and October. These measures will contribute to Montenegro to exceed the number of a million of registered tourists.
Summarizing the summer about to end, Minister Nenezić said that
the Ministry of Tourism is satisfied, that it had an ambitious plan to
achieve the same number of overnights, the number of tourists and
approximately the same revenues from tourism as in the last record
years, despite the global financial crisis. That is what happened.
The Minister placed a special emphasis on the high level of general safety which places Montenegro as one of the safest tourist
destinations on the Mediterranean. He pointed out that more than
50 million € was invested in sewage and road infrastructure,
which resulted in a completely satisfactory water and electricity
supply, treatment of waste water and solid waste.
We are not diverting from our development goals, and elite
tourism is just one of them, but we have offers for all structures
and everyone’s budget. As for revenues from tourism, the Minister pointed out that it will be as estimated – around half a billion
EUR. Nenezić said that it is expected that around 400.000 tourists
from Serbia will visit Montenegro this year as well, which is at the
last year’s level, and that consideration should be given to accommodation facilities in Montenegro which are owned by citizens of Serbia, which are used by their friends and relatives, and
it could be said that Montenegro was visited by around one million tourists from Serbia. The newly opened representative office
of the National Tourist Organisation in Belgrade continues to communicate with citizens who showed that Montenegro is their
favourite tourist destination, and with business partners and
media as well.
Minister Nenezić invited tourists to spend their holidays in September and October as well at our coast and in the north, Montenegro is ready.
August 2009
5.
ACTIVITIES OVER THE LAST MONTH
TOURIST OFFER OF MONTENEGRO AT
TOURISM FAIR IN COLOGNE
The National Tourist Organisation of
Montenegro, fourth year in a row, presented tourist offer of Montenegro at the
RDA Fair, which was held between 04
and 06 August of this year in Cologne.
This is the largest European fair of specialized bus-based tourism with increasing emphasis on group trips. This year’s
RDA Fair gathered 1.400 exhibitors from
more than 33 countries.
Montenegro presented its tourist offer at
the Fair on the 160 m² stand, within the
regional offer, together with Serbia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and
Macedonia, and within the cooperation
and support provided by the GTZ Office
in Montenegro, the Programme for Developing the Balkan Region respectively.
In addition to representatives of the NaNational Tourist Organisation of Montenegro became a full
tional Tourist Organisation, GTZ – Tourism Office in Monmember of the Association two years ago.
tenegro, the delegation of Montenegro also consisted of the
representatives of four Montenegrin tourist organisations:
“Adriatic Express”, “Montenegro Holidays”, “MN Holidays” and “Rams”.
This is the largest European fair of specialized bus-based tourism with
increasing emphasis on group trips. This year’s RDA Fair gathered
A conference of west Balkan countries
1.400 exhibitors from more than 33 countries.
was held in the Fair Press Centre on the
first day of the Fair, where Mr. Gerd Hasselman, expert for tourism for West German market spoke
Following the interest expressed after last year’s presenon behalf of Montenegro, followed by Mr. Karlo Petelin, Ditation of tourist offer of Montenegro at the RDA Workshop,
rector of the Montenegrin Tourist Representative Office in
specific business results and closing contracts with local
Frankfurt, who answered questions of journalists. The conagencies on visits of round bus tours to Montenegro is exference was attended by around 20 journalists and guests,
pected this year.
most of whom were representatives of specialized media:
“TTG”, “Bus Magazin”, “Bus Plane”, “Omni Bus Revue”,
For more information, please go to:
“Euro Bus”, “Reise Travel”, “Bus Blick Punkt”.
www.rda-workshop.de
The RDA Workshop Fair traditionally is organized by the
International Association of Bus Tour-Operators - RDA,
which was founded in 1951, and it currently gathers 3000
companies from more than 40 countries, medium and small
enterprises, to large concerns of tourism industries. The
6.
Montenegro presented its tourist offer at the Fair on the 160 m² stand,
within the regional offer, together with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Albania and Macedonia, and within the cooperation and support provided by the GTZ Office in Montenegro, the Programme for Developing
the Balkan Region respectively. In addition to representatives of the
National Tourist Organisation, GTZ – Tourism Office in Montenegro, the
delegation of Montenegro also consisted of the representatives of four
Montenegrin tourist organisations: “Adriatic Express”, “Montenegro
Holidays”, “MN Holidays” and “Rams”.
August 2009
ACTIVITIES OVER THE LAST MONTH
HOTELKEEPERS FROM MONTENEGRO AND TOURIST
AGENCIES FROM SERBIA HOLD A MEETING IN THE
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL TOURIST
ORGANISATION IN BELGRADE
AGENCIES SATISFIED WITH THE LOCAL MARKET INTEREST FOR MONTENEGRO AS A DESTINATION
A meeting between hotelkeepers from
Montenegro and tourist agencies from
Serbia was held in premises of the
newly opened representative office of
the National Tourist Organisation of
Montenegro in Belgrade, Kralja Petra
Street 32 on August 30 in the organization of the National Tourist Organisation of Montenegro.
“This is an opportunity for a business
meeting 1 on 1, where the NTO of
MNE and its representative office is
only a service and a mediator between tourist subjects of Serbia and
Montenegro, with a wish to continue
an existing great cooperation in the
2009 post-season as well” said the Director of the National Tourist Organisation of Montenegro Saša Radović at
the opening of the meeting. Bojan
Stanojevic, the Director of the representative office of the NTO MNE in Belgrade, also welcomed the attendees
and wished them a successful work.
& Resorts”, “HEC Residence
Miločer”, “HTP Budvanska
Rivijera”, “HTP Ulcinjska Rivijera”, “Montenegro Stars
Hotel Group”, “Maestral”,
“The Queen of Montenegro”,
“Vektra Boka”, “W-grand”,
and many tourist agencies
from this market: “SAB International”, “Jolly Travel”,
“Kontiki Travel”, “JAT Airlift”,
“Miross”, “Globus”, “Soul
Travel”, “Link”, “Pana Comp”,
“Basturist”, “Etno putnik”,
“Transšped”, “Pana tours”,
“Sixt”, and others.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the following hotel companies: “Adriastar Hotels & Resorts”, “HEC Residence Miločer”, “HTP
Budvanska Rivijera”, “HTP Ulcinjska Rivijera”, “Montenegro Stars Hotel
Group”, “Maestral”, “The Queen of Montenegro”, “Vektra Boka”, “Wgrand”, and many tourist agencies from this market: “SAB International”,
“Jolly Travel”, “Kontiki Travel”, “JAT Airlift”, “Miross”, “Globus”, “Soul
Travel”, “Link”, “Pana Comp”, “Basturist”, “Etno putnik”, “Transšped”,
“Pana tours”, “Sixt”, and others.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the following hotel companies: “Adriastar Hotels
The meeting was extremely positively assessed by yonder
tourist agencies and tour-operators and by hotelkeepers
from Montenegro as well. Tourist agencies from Serbia also
welcomed the intention of Montenegrin hotelkeepers to address directly the market of Serbia, the reduction of prices
of accommodation in post-season by 20-30%, but they also
noticed that it would be good if local air fares followed this
trend as well.
This meeting is the beginning of a number of joint business
meetings aimed at presenting tourist potentials of Montenegro and specific offers of hotels and hospitality facilities
in post-season, and for New Year’s holidays and the forthcoming winter season.
7.
August 2009
ACTIVITIES OVER THE LAST MONTH
ONE MILLION TOURISTS IN MONTENEGRO BY THE END
OF AUGUST
Tourist season in Montenegro is heading towards
achievement of the goal which is, having in mind global
financial and economic crisis and their consequences for
tourism, ambitiously set by the Economic Policy of the
Government for 2009, and it is related to the same number of overnights and tourists and approximately same
level of revenues from tourism as in the last record year.
According to the most recent information on booking of
capacities for post-season, it is likely that capacities will
be occupied to a good extent in September and October,
which will definitely eliminate negative trends in the first
half of the year.
It is obvious that tourism in Montenegro showed a high
level of vitality in this extraordinary year, and succeeded
to adjust to demand of all emissive markets and achieve
good results. Overall, it can be stated that the biggest
challenge so far is overcome, an extraordinary and unpredictable tourist year, which stood in the way of the implementation of the Strategy of Sustainable Development
of Tourism of Montenegro until 2020.
The preparation of this year’s tourist season and investments of more than 50 million euro in sewage and road
infrastructure gave expected results. Consequently,
water and electricity supply, treatment of waste waters
and solid waste are at the satisfactory level. It is important that the general safety this year is at a very high
level, which makes Montenegro one of the safest destinations in the Mediterranean and in the world.
8.
August 2009
Excellent results continue to be achieved in August. The assessment is that between 380.000 and 400.000 registered
guests will stay in Montenegro this month, which means that
one millionth guest in this year, will be registered by the end
of August.
It is obvious that the peak season is extending, since the
turnover growth of 1% to 4% is achieved on all border crossings as compared to previous week of August, both in road
and sea ports and on airports.
Good preparation and post-season is currently in the focus.
Most hotelkeepers announced that prices will be reduced by
20-30% from August 26th, and the message is still valid to all
other entities in tourism (hotelkeepers, owners of private accommodation, parking and beach leaseholders) to adjust their
pricing policy in order to achieve best possible results in September and October.
The promotion continues on international markets as well.
Montenegrin tourist offer was recently presented on specialized Fair in Cologne, and appearance will be made at the Fair
in Paris. Comprehensive promotional activities are taken
through our newly opened representative offices in Frankfurt,
Sarajevo and Belgrade aimed at tourists from those markets.
A number of large tourist investments will be initiated this year
as well, primarily in the coastal region of the country, which
will contribute to improved quality of offer and strengthened
position of Montenegro on the world’s tourist map.
ARTICLES ON MONTENEGRO IN INTERNATIONAL PRESS
MONTENEGRO IN PRESTIGIOUS
MAGAZINE „CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER“
AGAIN
”Montenegro is a great country in a small area. Despite its modest size of 13.812 km², the size of Northern Ireland, it has a
substantial natural beauties: the oldest pine forests in Europe,
the largest lake in the Balkans (Skadar Lake, at the border with
Albania), the second deepest canyon in the world (Tara River
Canyon: 1.3 km), one of the longest beaches at the Mediterranean (Velika plaža in Ulcinj), and one of the most beautiful
views I have ever seen in Europe, Rijeka Crnojevića.”
However, the biggest attractions in Montenegro are the beauties of the coastal landscape of Boka Bay, which Byron described as the “most beautiful contact between the earth and
the sea”, says the article.
Also, attention is paid to large investments such as opening of
the chain of hotels “Kempinski”, “Hilton” and “Four Seasons”,
and it mentions Hotel “Splendid” in Bečići, and famous guests
who stayed in it: Madonna, Mick Jager, and others.
The prestigious American magazine “Condé Nast
Traveller” published for the second time this year
an article on Montenegro on thirteen pages. This
edition speaks also about Italy, New York, India
and Mexico. This is the magazine that is known as
objective and unbiased source of information for
tourists. Readers of this magazine are mostly
women, 61%, while man readers make 39%. Average age of readers is 49 years with annual income
of around 100.000$. It is important to point out that
29.2% of readers are top managers.
(Source: http://www.magsdirect.com/condenasttraveler-magazine3.html )
Special emphasis is placed on gastronomy offer
of restaurants: Tavern “Stari Grad”, “Knez” Tavern,
“Tri Ribara”, “MB Ice Club”, Tavern “More:, “Kod
Zaga” and “Langust” in Budva, “Galion”, “Vino
Santo” and “Tramontana” in Kotor, “Conte Nautilus” in Perast and “Stari Mlini” in Ljuta near Kotor.
Staying in the following hotels is recommended:
“Vila Miločer”, Hotel “Splendid” in Budva, Hotel
“Vardar” in Kotor and “Bianca Resort & Spa” in Kolašin.
Regarding new investments, it mentions the construction of luxury marine for mega yachts, Porto
Montenegro, which will also include Hotel “Four
Seasons”, and “Sveti Stefan”, which used to be
the place that was visited by many famous people
back in ‘50s such as Sofia Loren, Elizabeth Tailor,
Richard Barton, and which was taken under lease
by Aman Resorts two years ago.
”What I particularly like in Montenegro are people,
their intelligence, charm and humour, and their relaxed way of life that one Montenegrin explained
to me with these words: “Let’s have a rest, have a
coffee and a laugh, because we live only once”,
says the journalist Rory Ross.
9.
August 2009
ARTICLES ON MONTENEGRO IN INTERNATIONAL PRESS
THE TIMES: MONTENEGRIN RIVIERA SHOULD BE
VISITED
Anyone who wants to go abroad and see untouched coastline and beautiful inland should visit Montenegrin Riviera,
say British the Times.
According to the Times, until recently independent Montenegro is quickly becoming a new place that people want
to move to.
The author of the text, Geret Skarlok /Gareth Scurlock/,
thinks that enormous investments and cheap life in Montenegro made this country suddenly attractive to people
who want to live abroad.
”Towns along the coast are among the most beautiful ones
on the Adriatic, while one of the best, Perast, is part of the
cultural heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)”, writes Skarlok.
He said that many towns along the coast have city walls
and noticeable Venetian influence.
Skarlok reminded that there are regular air lines from London to some destinations on the Montenegrin coast, which
make arrivals to the country easier.
Montenegro in the prestigious
Magazine “Privat Air”
Mr. Ivan Kotlyarevsky, the author of this article envisages
that Montenegro will become a new Monte Carlo and
says that it should be visited as soon as possible. Mr.
Kotlyarevsky describes Montenegro as a beautiful country, which became interesting for many Russian oligarchs
since it became independent in 2006, and it will certainly
undergo the process of modernization and rapid construction.
The text places a special emphasis on antique town of
Kotor with all of its beauties, Cetinje with rich cultural and
historical heritage, and Budva with rich tourist offer. It
also speaks about the process of integration of Montenegro into the European Union, real estate prices, etc.
Two most important development projects mentioned in
the “Private Air” Magazine are Porto Montenegro – as the
largest and the most modern port for luxury yachts on the
Mediterranean and the lease and reconstruction of Sveti
Stefan hotel by Aman Group, where a description is give
of the foundation and rich history of the hotel and numerous famous people who stayed in it.
The two most pleasant hotels to stay in, according to Mr.
Kotlyarevski’s opinion, are Hotel Vardar in Kotor, which
he describes as “a hotel of a city house type located in
the centre of the labyrinth” and Hotel Splendido in Prčanj
“surrounded with water of the Kotor Bay”.
He points out that everyone must visit Boka Bay, which
Byron described as “the sunk canyon with the most
beautiful encounter between the earth and the sea”.
Our coast is described as a replica of the French Riviera
with a view on Alps, just steeper and more dramatic.
Rough mountains dominate the inland, which are a home
for a number of animal species.
The text further speaks about curiosities of Montenegro
such as Skadar Lake (the biggest in the Balkans), Tara
River canyon (the second deepest canyon in the world),
Rijeka Crnojevića, Boka Bay, Lovćen, Petar II Petrović
Njegoš, etc.
Special attention is paid to diverse and quality offer of
food and beverages in Montenegro, good relations
between members of different religions and nations in
the country, and extremely positive spirit of Montenegrins and always present willingness for joking and
socializing.
10.
August 2009
ARTICLES ON MONTENEGRO IN INTERNATIONAL PRESS
FAMOUS NAUTICAL MAGAZINE “MEER & YACHTEN”
PUBLISHES AN ARTICLE
ON MONTENEGRO
Mr. Bodo Muller, the author of this article, spent a few
days in Montenegro cruising along our coast and passed
extremely nice impressions.
He said that Montenegro is like a fairytale, a sleeping
beauty which is waking up from a centuries of sleep, that
it is like a small bird which has grown into a large and
strong eagle, and that our country is definitely becoming
a pearl on the world’s yachting map.
Mr. Muller compared Montenegro with Monaco; he wrote
about sudden progress and development of nautical
tourism since gaining independence, positive promotion
of Montenegro in the James Bond movie “Casino Royal”,
construction of numerous hotels, casinos, ports for super
and mega yachts.
He visited all places on our coast and, like a guide, wrote
an article on them, their history, foundation, natural beauties, restaurants, people. He started from Kotor, which
thrilled him with its progress in nautical tourism compared
to 2003 when he visited Montenegro the first time. After
Kotor, he visited Prčanj, where he was especially impressed by the quality of service in Splendido Hotel.
Perast impressed him with its rich history and beautiful islands Saint Marko and Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of
the Rocks), and he pointed out “Conte” restaurant as
well. Tivat, a small town, which was made the most important nautical point in Montenegro due to Porto Montenegro Project, inspired the author to compare it to
Adriatic Monaco. He also visited the island Gospa od
Milosti (Our Lady of Grace) where he visited Manastir
Presvete Bogorodice (Monastery of the Holy Virgin), and
then he visited Herceg Novi, Budva, Sveti Stefan,
Petrovac, Bar, Ulcinj and Ada Bojana. He pointed out
Budva and Sveti Stefan as places for holidays of jet set,
listed various famous people who stayed in Budva in distant and recent history such as Sofia Loren, Sylvester
Stallone, Claudia Schiffer, Willy Brandt, Helmot Kohl, Silvia Berlusconi, Leny Kravitz, Madonna, Rollingstones,
events like chess game between Fisher and Spasski at
Sveti Stefan, Ford world finals “Super Model of the
World” in Budva, etc. As for the port of Bar, he pointed out
ability to service yachts, and he thinks there are good
preconditions in Ulcinj for building a port for accommodating large yachts. He was also impressed by Ada Bojana, which he described as a sand Mecca for nudists,
and the river banks host fish restaurants, with hotel balconies and the river right underneath them, which, according to Mr. Muller’s words create ambient as if you
were in Vietnam or in Thailand.
An article on Montenegro in
the weekly magazine ”OK
TRAVEL”
This magazine points out in its title that Montenegro is becoming the newest “hot spot” of the Adriatic due to a combination of vacation on phenomenal beaches with the offer to
see many highlights, enjoy exclusive restaurants and discover extremely rich history. OK TRAVEL describes Montenegro as the “newest country of contradiction and
contrasts, with exquisite geographic position, a country that
has epical landscape and which offers numerous natural
wonders”. Adventurers can enjoy thrills such as rafting on
white waters of Tara River, skiing in Kolašin or windsurfing
on Skadar Lake. More than 70% of the country is made of
mountains, the landscape is similar to the one of Alps, dominated by rough mountain peaks covered with snow and
crystal clear glacial lakes. This Balkan pearl has a lot to offer,
with an opportunity to see a lot by combining vacation at sea
and in the mountains.
The Magazine OK TRAVEL recommends the following places
for holidays at our coast: Budvu, Herceg Novi, Kotor, for families with little children it recommends Bečići and Kamenovo
beaches, while Sveti Stefan is reserved for jet set and members of royal families. Out of the hotels they stayed in, the recommend The Queen of Montenegro in Bečići and Hotel
Rivijera in Petrovac. They described Budva as the most popular place for holidays on the Montenegrin Riviera, which attracts visitors with its beaches, water sports, luxurious nigh
life and rich cultural heritage inside the walls of Old Town
(houses in Venetian style, narrow krivudave streets, numerous hidden squares, churches), famous restaurants with rich
and diverse menus, numerous bars and coffee bars, luxury
yachts in the marina, etc. Places which must be visited, according to this prestigious magazine are 1. capital Cetinje,
where they were impressed by the charm of old embassies,
2. Boka Bay, which is a combination of sapphire blue sea and
rocky mountain peaks and say that “if the glare of green fields
and small coastal towns do not melt your heart, nothing ever
will”, 3. Skadar Lake, the biggest in the Balkans, and one
more beautiful fortress town 4. Herceg Novi. They describe
Montenegro as a destination where famous people stay.
They pointed out some of them who recently visited our
country: Pamela Anderson, Michael Douglas and Catherine
Zeta Jones, Roman Abramovich, Venus and Serena
Williams, Madonna, Rolling Stones, etc.
They expressed a high level of satisfaction with food in our
country. We have a unique offer in that segment because
we accepted cuisines of various nations and nationalities
that history joined us with and we offer various specialities.
Venetians left us pizza, pasta, palenta (cornmeal) and icecream. We took spicy kebab from Turks, burek from Austrians, and different types of cakes, pancakes with nuts,
chocolate, apricots, coffee, etc. from Hungarians. They point
out that almost every town in Montenegro has its local delicacy (ham, cheese, olives...)
August 2009. godine
11.
SUMMER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
VIII INTERNATIONAL SUMMER KOTOR CARNIVAL HELD
VIII International Kotor Carnival held from 06 to 08 August of this year,
under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism.
According to words of organizers, Vasilije Brajović and Davor
Biskupović from the NVO “Fešta”, the whole Kotor municipality was focused on this unique event.
On the first day of the festivity, August 6th, abrum was organized on the
streets of the Old Town, which marked the start of this year’s festival
celebrations. The highlight of the festival was August 8th when the celebration, after the defile, moved inside the walls of the Old Town and
lasted until early morning with rich and diverse entertainment programme.
The whole event passed in a nice, cheerful and entertaining atmosphere created by numerous carnival groups from our
country and from abroad as well (Croatia, Macedonia, Italy, Serbia and Slovenia). There remains a regret that a large carnival group from Nigeria, which announced its participation, was not able to participate in the VIII international summer
Kotor festival and to make this party even bigger.
The Ministry of Tourism, under whose sponsorship the Kotor carnival took place this year as well, points out that such ambient festivities, adjusted to culture and tradition of the place where they are organized, attract a large number of tourists,
who are always impressed with what they see and experience and thus contribute to improved overall tourist season of Montenegro and its improved image as a tourist destination.
12.
August 2009
SUMMER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
BOKE[KA NO] FESTIVAL HELD
Traditional tourist-cultural festival “Bokeška
noć”, which gathers tenths of thousands of
visitors every year, was held on August
22nd in aquarium of the Kotor Bay.
Out of the total of 51 imaginatively and originally decorated boats, the jury announced
five the best: 1. place belonged to “Nautilus”
boat, 2. place to “Tre sorele” boat, 3. place
to “Galion”, 4. “Kotorski katastar” and 5. “Urbanizam & renesansa”.
Bokeška noć in the period between the two
World Wars. A few
Bokeška noć events
are remembered, such
as the one of 1938,
which was attended by
English King Eduard
and English fleet, as
well as the one of 1959
when two Bokeška noć
were held, one in August and the second
was the repeat in September 6th especially for the President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz
Tito, when practically the whole fleet of the Yugoslav Navy was involved.
The winning boat “Nautilus”
Organizers of Bokeška noć are Kotor municipality, Local Tourist Organisation Kotor
and the Cultural Centre “Nikola Đurković”. The most
important sponsors were companies “Knjaz Miloš”,
“Napredak”, “Jugopetrol” and CKB. It was the first time
this year that a large number of caterers
from the Old Town participated in financing Organizers of Bokeška noć are Kotor municipality, Local Tourist Organisation Kotor and the Cultural Centre “Nikola Đurković”. The
of this festivity.
most important sponsors were companies “Knjaz Miloš”,
“Napredak”,
“Jugopetrol” and CKB. It was the first time this year
The festivity on the water, Bokeška noć,
that
a
large
number
of caterers from the Old Town participated in fistarted to be organized at the end of 19th
nancing of this festivity.
century as a Venetian Night, and became
13.
August 2009
SUMMER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
THE FESTIVAL
PETROVA^KA NO] HELD
Traditional tourist event “Petrovacka noc” was
held on August 28th in the organization of Budva
municipality and the Tourist Organisation of
Budva, which was attended by a few thousand
tourists. Petrovačka noć is one of the most famous summer festivals and it gathered this year
numerous visitors from the country and abroad.
A rich entertainment programme was prepared
for the evening of fun, games, fish and wine, and
guests were served with free 600 litres of beer
and 500 litres of wine and 500 kg of fish.
Petrovački dan, as in previous years, started
with morning defile of the Orchestra Gradska
muzika (City Music) along the Petrovac Riva.
Numerous tourists who participate in such
events come from all regions of former Yugoslavia and other European countries, and this
year they had a chance to taste mackerel, beer and, of
course, wine. Numerous cultural events within this year’s
“Petrovačka noć” were crowned by a large concert in the
park of the Hotel “Palas” where Andrijana Božović, Kiki
Lesendrić and Goca Tržan performed. According to the data
of the Local Tourist Organisation, who is an organizer of this
event together with Budva municipality, the Budva Riviera
reported all August increased number of tourists compared
to the previous season, and there were a lot of reasons to
celebrate.
It started with swimming competition in the port. Fifteen
young swimmers were at the start.
Pulling the rope was next participated by six teams of five
contestants each. All of this took place in Petrovac port with
noisy cheering of the audience.
Petrovac beach, which is 600 meters long, was crowded
with swimmers until the sunset. The formation of queues
14.
The Director of the Tourist Organisation Budva, MSc
Jelena Rađenović, said:
- After a number of festivals, concerts and other
events organized by TO Budva and Budva municipality, I am happy to say that “Petrovačka noć” was at the
highest level.
started at 17 for free tasting of fish, wine and beer at the “Sutjeska” restaurant and in front of the “Palas” Hotel, at two
points where fish was prepared and drinks served by members of Fishing Association “Širun” from Budva. The serving
of fish started at 18, and there was no more fish after 19:30.
With tasting of fish and drinking of wine and beer, from 17:30,
guests were entertained by “Kastel Novo” for two hours, with
hits of Serbian, Croatian and Montenegrin authors. The defile of Gradska muzika from Budva and their half an hour concert impressed thousands of guests. The concert started
Petrovački dan, as in previous years, started with morning defile of the Orchestra Gradska muzika (City
Music) along the Petrovac Riva. Numerous tourists who participate in such events come from all regions of
former Yugoslavia and other European countries, and this year they had a chance to taste mackerel, beer
and, of course, wine. Numerous cultural events within this year’s “Petrovačka noć” were crowned by a large
concert in the park of the Hotel “Palas” where Andrijana Božović, Kiki Lesendrić and Goca Tržan performed.
August 2009
SUMMER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Guests arrived who spend their holidays on our coast, as
well as local residents and guests. All of them were served
with 500 kg of fish, 500 litres of wine and 500 litres of beer.
I am extremely happy that the weather was on our side and
there were a large number of guests. This is one of the final
events and a good introduction into the continuation of the
tourist season which was very good and quality this year. As
I already said, Budva reports increase of five percent, and
I am convinced that Budva will be visited by around 500
thousand tourists this year”.
around 21, which attracted thousands of visitors. Andrijana
Božović was the first singer, followed by Kiki Lesandrić,
and then by Goca Tržan.
The Director of the Tourist Organisation Budva, MSc Jelena Rađenović, said:
- After a number of festivals, concerts and other events organized by TO Budva and Budva municipality, I am happy
to say that “Petrovačka noć” was at the highest level.
Tanja Drašković from the Tourist Organisation of Budva
stated that everything went as planned, and that all visitors
were in a good mood, which means that the organization
of the event was successful. “The number of visitors every
week of August was higher than the last year 4, 5, or 6 percent. We did the counting this Friday and it showed increase compared to last year and we find that encouraging.
According to announcements of some hotelkeepers, we will
have a similar situation in September, primarily good occupation rate in hotels, which is very positive.”'
Official part of “Petrovacka noc” was finished with spectacular
fireworks just before midnight. However, the celebration continued in coffee bars along the waterfront until early in the
morning.
15.
August 2009. godine