Montenegro sees 4% increase in tourist arrivals and record revenue in summer 2024

In Montenegro, unofficial data provided to the National Tourism Organization (NTO) by local sources show that on August 5, 2024, there were 100,000 visitors, representing a 4% increase compared to the previous year and achieving 90% of the numbers seen in 2019.

The NTO stated that while official figures are still pending, this tourist season is performing at least as well as last year’s, with some parameters showing improvement.

Milena Vujović from the NTO reported that data from Monstat indicated around 872,000 tourists arrived in June and July, which matches the previous year’s numbers (99.3% of last year) and marks a 2.5% increase compared to 2019.

In July, the highest number of visitors came from regional markets, Turkey, the UK, Germany, France, Poland, and Israel. Vujović noted that arrivals from Turkey doubled compared to July 2023, while the UK saw a 25% increase from last year and a 57% increase from 2019.

Vujović also highlighted that the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) reported tourism revenue of €340 million for the second quarter of 2024, a 2% increase from the previous year and a 64% rise compared to 2019.

According to the Ministry of Finance, total tourism-related revenue reached €3 million as of September 4, 2024, which is a 7% increase from the previous year. This includes accommodation taxes, tourist taxes, and membership contributions.

Looking ahead, Vujović noted that the NTO is preparing for major promotional activities, including participation in tourism fairs in London, Paris, and Barcelona. Additionally, summer marketing campaigns are being launched in the UK, Germany, and France.

The NTO is also implementing a new quality management project aimed at enhancing destination quality. This year, the initiative expands from last year’s pilot in Kotor and Cetinje to include all municipalities in Montenegro. It involves measuring online reputation to identify strengths and weaknesses in the tourism offering and providing necessary training.

Vujović added that a call has been issued for the tourism industry to receive free quality analysis and online reputation measurement, with applications open until October 1, 2024.