At today's session of the coordination body for monitoring the tourist season, chaired by the Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatović, it was stated that the results so far in the tourist season have justified and even exceeded the expectations and projections of this Government.
«I am satisfied that with our joint efforts we managed to achieve what few people believed in before the start of the tourist season. This season is a reflection of the realistic goals set by this Government, and as we have shown many times, the goals are always focused on the citizens themselves and their better standard of living. The satisfaction of the tourist representatives is also noticeable, for whom such a revival was crucial after the previous difficult year, „said Minister Milatović.
Milatović also referred to the official data on the number of overnight stays and Revenues realized in 2020 and 2019.
“According to the official data of the Central Bank of Montenegro, in 2020, 144 million euros of tourism revenues were generated, which is only 13% of tourism revenues from 2019. According to official data, in the first quarter of this year, 25 million euros in tourism revenues were generated, with 315,000 overnight stays by foreign tourists, which means an average daily consumption of 80 euros per tourist, „the minister reminded.
Speaking about this year's data, he stated that “According to MONSTAT data, in the second quarter of this year, there were 375,000 overnight stays of foreign tourists in collective accommodation. If we know that the share of overnight stays in collective accommodation is 25-30% of the total number of overnight stays, then it can be concluded that foreign tourists realized 1.5 million overnight stays in the second quarter of 2021. This means that tourism revenue in the second quarter of 2021 can be estimated at 120 million euros. When we add to this figure 25 million euros, which was the revenue from tourism in the first quarter of this year, the facts are inexorable: in the first half of 2021, 145 million euros of tourism revenue was generated, which is the amount achieved for the entire 12 months of the previous years. “
»Finally, it should be noted that this year will certainly be at the level of 65% of tourism revenues compared to 2019, due to the indisputable fact that July, August and September make up 70% of total tourism revenues, which is manifested these days when the hotels and our private accommodation are full of holes. ”
Of course, the realization of income at this level will depend on the development of the epidemiological situation.
The session was also attended by the Minister of Health, Jelena Borovinić-Bojović, who once again called on everyone to respect the measures and vaccinate.
«We all have to give a personal contribution and example to others by respecting measures and getting vaccinated. We have a common goal and that is why we must be in solidarity. That is the only way to protect ourselves from the virus, but also the basic condition for the continuation of a successful tourist season, Borovinić-Bojović pointed out.
The session was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Capital Investments, the national airline To Montenegro, mayors, directors of local tourist organizations, who also appealed for respect for measures and vaccination.