An Increase in the Number of Tourists in Montenegro Is Forecast for 2025
In 2024, Montenegro demonstrated significant tourist growth, as confirmed by data from the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT). In the first ten months of the year, 2.5 million tourists visited the country, which is 99.4% of the level of p...
In 2024, Montenegro demonstrated significant growth in tourist arrivals, as confirmed by data from the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT). In the first ten months of the year, the country was visited by 2.5 million tourists, which is 99.4% of the previous year's level.
Record figures in August 2023
August 2023 was especially notable, when the number of tourist arrivals reached a record 240,754 people. This indicates the recovery and growth of the tourism sector after the decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main factors behind the growth in tourist traffic
The key factors that contributed to the increase in tourist numbers were:
Improved infrastructure: The development of the transport network, including airport expansion and improved road infrastructure, has increased the country's accessibility for travelers.
Active promotional campaign: Intensive promotion of Montenegro in international markets, participation in tourism fairs, and digital marketing strategies attracted the attention of new tourists.
Visa-free regime: the absence of visas and improved border crossing procedures made trips to Montenegro more convenient for foreign citizens. However, in 2025 Montenegro plans to introduce visas for citizens of Russia and Belarus.
Natural and cultural attractions: Beautiful beaches, mountain landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage continued to attract travelers from all over the world.
Challenges facing the tourism industry
Despite the positive trends, the tourism industry faced certain challenges:
Road infrastructure
: Inadequate road infrastructure and traffic jams during peak seasons create inconvenience for tourists and local residents.
Air transport issues: Limited airport capacity and a shortage of flights during peak seasons can limit the number of arriving tourists.
Water supply: In some regions of the country, problems arise with providing sufficient water, especially at the height of the tourist season.
Strategic tourism development plan
In response to these challenges, the Government of Montenegro developed a strategic tourism development plan aimed at improving infrastructure, raising service quality, and diversifying tourism offerings. According to Montenegro's tourism development strategy through 2025, it is planned to increase the number of four- and five-star hotel beds by 5,500 by 2025.
Development of ski tourism: the Kolasin Valleys project
One striking example of these efforts is the launch of the new all-season ski resort Kolasin Valleys. In 2023, Montenegro entered the top ten most attractive emerging tourist destinations in the world, which indicates growing interest in the country.
Kolasin Valleys brings together 23 hotels and 73 exclusive chalets, offering high-quality alpine-style accommodation. The first phase of the project, including 4 hotels and 4 chalets, was launched in 2024. The resort offers not only ski slopes, but also opportunities for golf, horseback riding, as well as aesthetic and relaxation medicine centers.
Improving transport infrastructure
As part of the tourism development strategy, special attention is being paid to improving transport infrastructure. The 41-kilometer highway, costing 1 billion dollars and opened in July 2022, significantly reduced travel time from Podgorica to Kolašin. Now it takes less than an hour to get from Podgorica Airport to the slopes of the Kolasin Valleys ski resort.
Porto Novi project — a luxury resort and yacht marina
Porto Novi is a luxury resort complex located in a picturesque area on the Adriatic coast in the Herceg Novi region, near the Bay of Kotor. This project includes a modern yacht marina, exclusive apartments, high-end hotels, and offers world-class services for affluent tourists. Porto Novi combines elements of eco-tourism with high-end service, attracting guests who want to enjoy a secluded and luxurious stay.
Features of Porto Novi:
A marina for 220 yachts with modern amenities.
Luxury apartments and five-star hotels.
High-end restaurants and shops.
A sustainable approach to eco-tourism.
Architecture inspired by local traditions and style.
The Lustica Bay project — a new tourist district with an ecological focus
Lustica Bay is an ambitious project that envisions the creation of a new resort town on Montenegro's coast. The project includes:
Golf courses, a yacht marina, beaches, restaurants, sports facilities, and shops.
Ecological approach: the project is being developed with sustainability and environmental protection in mind. An important aspect is minimizing impact on nature and using modern technologies to save water and energy.
Lustica Bay has become an important element in the development of the northwestern part of Montenegro and is expected to attract both tourists and foreign investors. The project is ongoing, and the first phase has already been completed.
Prospects and expectations in 2025
It is expected that the implementation of these measures will allow the country not only to maintain positive momentum in 2025, but also to strengthen its position in the international tourism market in the years ahead. Continued work to improve infrastructure, expand tourism offerings, and actively promote Montenegro as a tourist destination will contribute to the sustainable development of the industry and attract new tourist flows.
Image: pexel.com
