Montenegro’s Minister of Economic Development, Jakov Milatović, sent a letter to representatives of the hotel operator Aman, which manages a chain of hotels including the island of Sveti Stefan and the Miločer villa, as well as to the tenant Adriatic Properties, expressing his expectation that the hotel facilities will be opened in the near future.
In the letter, Milatović recalls that in the previous period he had intensive talks with representatives of the local community and the Municipality of Budva. Jakov Milatović is convinced that a final solution will be reached through ongoing dialogue with the local community.
Reasons for the closure of the Sveti Stefan resort
A month ago, Aman announced that it would not reopen the exclusive Sveti Stefan and Miločer resort. This was confirmed by Adriatic Properties, as well as by businessman Petros Stathis, who announced his departure from Montenegro and the launch of international arbitration.
One of the main reasons is that the hotel operator Aman and Adriatic Properties cannot guarantee peace and privacy for their guests, which is the core concept of the Aman hotel chain, because the local residents of Sveti Stefan and Pržno are seeking free access to Royal Beach (Kraljeva plaža) and Queen’s Beach (Kraljičina plaža). These beaches had been leased for several decades together with all hotel amenities.
Let us recall that prices for a stay at Royal Beachstarted at 120 eurosper season. The price included two sun loungers and an umbrella. A stay next door, at Queen’s Beach, cost slightly less — 100 euros. For guests staying at the Aman Sveti Stefan hotel, admission was free.
Meanwhile, workers were sent on leave, offered severance pay, and it was made clear that they were looking for jobs in other hotels. The department headed by Milatović was actively involved in resolving the issue.
Milatović’s letter is addressed to Aman and Adriatic Properties representatives Roland Fazel and Goran Benkunn:
“It was a pleasure to meet you and discuss all the issues related to Aman at the meeting we held on May 24 at the Ministry of Economic Development.
Let us recall that, in the hope that we would find a solution to the disputed issues, the Ministry of Economic Development organized another meeting on June 9, to which representatives of Aman and Adriatic Properties were invited, as well as representatives of Sveti Stefan, the local community, the Municipality of Budva, the management company Morsko Dobro, and the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism.