Director of the National Tourism Organization (NTO), Mrs Željka Radak –Kukavičić, said in the interview for Dnevne novine that beginning phase of tourism recovery will be in July.
Also, she added that health safety and protection were priority for tourists.
She announced that the goal was to create “green air corridors” with the countries at the similar epidemic level as Montenegro: Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia…
Do you agree that Montenegro can expect the most challenging season over the past 30 years?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: Coronavirus pandemic has provoked a set of social and economic consequences for the entire world, and tourism is definitely most affected industry. This year’s season in Montenegro will depend on the assessment of the epidemic situation in our country and in emitting markets.
According to the estimates of the UNWTO, beginning phase of the recovery in tourism will be in July 2020. The most important part of the tourism turnover will be national tourists and regional demand. That’s where Montenegro sees opportunities.
Also, health safety is priority for tourists. According to the estimates of prominent heaklth experts, “winners” of the crisi flow so far are countries that are close to eliminating the virus, and Montenegro is among them and is forecast to be one of the first world corona-free zones.
In that context, we want to send a message to tourists and tell them that we are safe destination for spending vacation.
Some of the most influential European media are writing about Montenegro as one of the first destinations that will open the doors to tourists. Thanks to that image we are building, we expect that choice of destinations will be narrowed.
Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and NTO, through intensive cooperation within tourism sectors, are analyzing tourism market movements and we are currently in the finishing phase of f the preparation of concept for the promotion.
Will both national tourists and tourists from the region be in focus?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: National guests are definitely in the focus and we urge them to spend their holidays in their own country and take the opportunity to maybe get to know their country better and search all the segments of varied offer. We firmly believe tourism economy will provide additional motive to national tourists with offer of special advantages.
In 1999, there was tourism season. Will this year see the season coming and when?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: Considering Montenegro’s good position, we have moderate optimism that one part of the main tourism season will be achieved in July and August. However, it all depends on the epidemic situation.
Prime Minister, Mr Duško Marković, said he didn’t expect any considerable revenues from tourism. Are hoteliers preparing for the season? What is the situation like with private accommodation?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: I would like to remind you that PM emphasized that Montenegro will put all its efforts into preserving tourism economy and that despite the expected stagnation, we can prepare the country for some better days.
We have announcements that hotels and restaurants and beach bars could open their doors to visitors starting from 18 May or even earlier. Competent institutions are committed to preparing protocol which will be applied in hotels, private accommodation and hospitality.
The key prerequisite is health safety of our citizens and tourists. Tourism employers in Montenegro will provide high level of safety and quality of services by adhering to protocols and measures defined by the Institute for Public Health.
Having all this in mind, I believe we will know how to take the opportunity and face all challenges bravely.
The “new reality” of Montenegro and restructuring of the economy is something everybody’s talking about. It is time for restructuring Montenegrin tourism and putting emphasis on a national guest and guests from the region? According to recent announcements, airline traffic will be uncertain and probably very expensive?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: Results achieved over the past decade and more confirm that Montenegro takes important position on the world map.
Apart from traditional Russian and Serbian markets, priority emitting markets are countries of the western, middle and northern Europe.
Having regard to the size of the domestic market, tourism profit is determined by the turnover generated from foreign markets and regions (95%). In future, focus of our actions will be on emitting markets I already mentioned but we will also examine possibilities and ways to encourage guests to spend their vacation in Montenegro.
Are there any announcements from low-cost companies? What is your recommendation for tourist representatives?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: Ministry of Sustainable Development and NTO are communicating with national airline company and low-cost air companies: Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air as we are planning to continue promotion of our country via these companies.
How can the country help tourism economy?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: The country is fully committed to preserving tourism, as one of its most important branches. Human resources are priority in that activity. Tourism as our most important branch is an essential part of Government’s measures referring to liquidity, stability and preservation of jobs.
The goal of these measures is to help businessmen to self-organize and to be ready to welcome the period after the pandemic.
I believe our tourism representatives will make maximum contribution to overcoming crisis provoked by the pandemic by demonstrating flexibility for demands of our guests.
Is Montenegro ready for Covid passports, measuring body temperature, great amount of tests, and all that for tourism?
Mrs RADAK-KUKAVIČIĆ: The conclusion of the meeting of EU tourism ministers was that there must be a joint plan for coming out of the crisis and a joint document called “passport COVID-19”.
As future EU member, Montenegro is thinking in that direction and sees all initiatives and models as guidelines for the preparation of our activities and directions of actions. Regional agreements and bilateral agreements are of utmost importance in that context.
It would be good if we managed to establish “green air corridors” with the countries at similar epidemic level like Montenegro.
Source: www.cdm.me