He said that crises discouraged people from moving and it was in the interest of Montenegrin tourism that problems did not exist anywhere – starting from Greece or any other country. Asked about impacts the crisis in Greece could have on Montenegro, Mr Gvozdenovic said that only positive environment around the world contributed positive environment in Montenegro.
He said he expected an increase in the number of tourists, who were increasingly informed about Montenegro owing to a good promotion.
“Reports on the number of tourists in the first five months of 2015 show it has been increased. Number of arrivals and overnight stays was increased by 9% in May,” Gvozdenovic said.
According to Mr Gvozdenovic, Montenegro is one of the few countries recording progress when it comes to the number of tourists from Russia, due to the fact that we timely adapted tourism offer.
“I cannot say for sure what the number of tourists from that area will be, but we have fulfilled everything we planned. Well-organised campaign additionally helps strengthening the image and it is crucial for it to reflect reality on the ground,” Mr Gvozdenovic said.
According to him, if they finish the tourist season as planned, it will surely be better than last year.
Asked what measures had been taken to improve the offer, particularly when it comes to water supply issue in the coastal region, Mr Gvozdenovic said that the Government had taken over the implementation of the regional water supply system allocating around €100 million for the project.
“We have actively worked on the assistance and support to local authorities in terms of strengthening the secondary network. Significant improvements have been achieved. Of course, certain damages may occur, which requires better monitoring in the preparatory period,” he explained.
However, as he stated, those problems had been overcome so that he could invite tourists to come to a regulated Montenegro.
Mr Gvozdenovic said that the Government had adopted the programme of incentive measures in tourism for this and next year in terms of improving and enriching the tourist offer in order to encourage entrepreneurs, citizens and businesses to come up with proposals to improve services and offer in the fields of cultural tourism and events organising.
“We are preparing a competition “All the Wonders of Montenegro” aimed at encouraging innovative people being familiar with the tradition of Montenegro, to further refresh the offer, which would attract tourists,” he said.
The Director of the National Tourism Organisation (NTO), Zeljka Radak-Kukavicic, said that the first of the three incentive measures was related to improving infrastructure. Within it, the maximum amount of funds that could be obtained was projected at €8,000 and the applicant was supposed to provide support of 20%.
“When it comes to cultural tourism, the maximum amount of funds that can be obtained is 80% of eligible costs, or €8,000, and 20% is to be provided by the applicant,” Ms Radak-Kukavicic said.
She said that events were divided in two categories – small which could be granted up to €30,000 support and large events worth more than €30,000.
“When it comes to smaller events, the public invitation will last until the allocated assets are spent. Major events may be supported by 50% of the eligible costs, i.e. maximum €20,000 per project,” Ms Radak-Kukavicic said, adding that the public invitation would be open for 21 days, after which they would announce who won the support.