Following a record number of tourist arrivals in 2022, the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro (NTO Montenegro) will once again exhibit at World Travel Market in November. With a delegation of 18 partners across public institutions, local tourism organisations, hotels and hotel groups and DMC-s, representatives from the tourism board are available for trade and media appointments and will unveil a series of grand new openings for 2023.   

 According to the Statistical Office of Montenegro – MONSTAT, Montenegro welcomed a total of 1.7 million tourist arrivals globally in the first eight months of 2022, a 25% increase year-on-year and 82% from 2019. In collective and individual accommodation, 9.5 million overnights were recorded – an increase of 19% from 2021 and 82% from 2019. From the UK specifically, 2022 saw 52,000 travellers visit Montenegro with 268,000 overnight stays recorded. Year-on-year this was an increase of 374% from January – August this year and 87% from the same recorded period in 2019. The number of overnights sat at 254% in comparison to 2021 and 88% from the first eight months in 2019 and the average length of stay recorded remains at 5 days.   

The new year marks an exciting time for the Balkan destination with a choice of stand-out new accommodation options and increased airlift. Combined with four UNESCO sites, five National Parks and 117 beaches in a small and accessible environment, these additions make Montenegro a desirable destination for holiday-makers in 2023.  

NEW HOTEL OPENINGS 

Montenegro will add three new properties to its luxury hotel offering in the Bay Kotor in 2023 and a fourth in 2025. 

• Mamula Island Hotel on the historical islet and previously inhabited 19th century fortress (Spring)  

• Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay, rebranded and expanded hotel Blue Kotor Bay in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage Site (June) 

• The Movenpick by Accor Hotel Group in the ancient settlement of Risan (Autumn) 

• Five-star hotel Marriot is also scheduled to open offering guests all the traditional luxury amenities in addition to a shopping centre and business centre. Construction is underway for a May 2025 opening

  INCREASED AIRLIFT 

• Jet2.com confirms its 2023 programme with a new twice-weekly service from Manchester (MAN) to Tivat (TIV). Departing Mondays and Thursdays from 1 May – 30 October, the route amounts to 53 rotations and the equivalent of over 10,000 seats. Enabling travellers from Northern England easy and accessible travel to Montenegro, from summer 2023 four airlines are now scheduled to operate flights to Montenegro from the UK including Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyjet with the addition of Jet2.com.

  NEW ATTRACTIONS 

• A new cable car will open in summer 2023 connecting Kotor to Lovcen National Park. With 40 gondolas transporting over 1,000 passengers every hour, visitors will be able to enjoy the scenic views of the Bay of Kotor and mountain region in the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje in just over 10 minutes.

  2022 OPENINGS 

• Earlier this year, Porto Montenegro welcomed a few new projects that have enriched the profile of the Adriatic’s leading marina village. The first is a unique lifestyle and dining concept within the marina’s yacht club – Buddha- Bar Beach. The seasonal restaurant and bar (open from April 2023) combines live music with five-star, contemporary Asian-seafood inspired dishes complete with panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor from both the table and the 64-metre infinity pool. Second is Boka Place – a new urban neighbourhood and lifestyle destination built with wellness in mind. Boka Place will be a collection of 213 apartments, but also a place to shop, stay and recharge. The neighbourhood will include a fitness-infused hotel, boutique shops, galleries, car showrooms and so much more.  

• Kolasin 1600 – Development of this small mountain town ski resort in the northern region continues with the addition of the new K7 detachable cable car connecting the resort to Kolasin 1450 and expanding their network of runs to 45km making it one of the biggest in the region. In time for the winter season new slopes will be added to Kolasin 1600 in addition to chair lifts, a light system enabling night skiing and a reservoir lake to house an artificial snow system. Construction of six new luxury hotels is also underway with a further eight in planning. In addition, the construction of the priority section of the highway Bar-Boljari (put into operation last July) enables visitors to reach Kolasin ski region in just 30 minutes from the Capital of Podgorica or 1.5 hours from the coastal region.

  AWARDS & ACCOLADES 

• According to the European Travel Commission (ETC) Montenegro remained at the top spot in ten of the best-rated European Countries beating Greece, Spain and Croatia.  

• Celebrating the best in travel for 21 years, Montenegro has been recognised by one of the UK’s leading inspirational travel magazines, Wanderlust. Nominated in the ‘most desirable European country’ category, the award winners will be revealed at a prestigious event at the Tower of London on 8 November 2022.

  Interviews will be available on request at WTM on stand number EU1910 with Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Goran Diurovic and Director of NTO Montenegro, Mrs Ana Tripkovic Markovic.

  For further information on travel in Montenegro, visit www.montenegro.travel.