The Minister of Tourism, Simonida Kordić, met today with the MFIC representatives. Among the topics discussed were nautical tourism, specific plans for improved air connectivity, and future tourism development strategies. On this occasion, the Minister emphasized the need to enhance and intensify cooperation between institutions to create conditions for adequate tourism development.
The meeting was also attended by State Secretaries Vuk Žižić and Petar Drašković, while the MFIC was represented by Tamas Kamarasi, President of the MFIC, and Arijana Nikolić Vučinić, Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Council in Montenegro, along with representatives from member companies: Ivana Gajović, PR Manager of Savana System in Montenegro (Hotel Ramada and Mall of Montenegro), Predrag Leković, Director of Government Relations and Board Member (Porto Montenegro), Stevan Milić, General Director of Porto Novi Resort, and Marko Vukašević, Head of Government and Community Relations (Luštica Bay).
“Tourism has not been without strategy in recent years, and in that sense, I don’t want to paint a worse picture than it is, but strategic development is one of the most important topics at the moment. Next year, when the current strategy expires, we will work with relevant experts and the tourism industry to create a document that follows measurable goals and the real needs of the market. In the past month, since I assumed office, I have spoken with representatives of the tourism industry, and everyone identifies Montenegro’s physical accessibility as a key issue. The first problem lies at the very gates, at the entry points into Montenegro – border crossings, road infrastructure, and air connectivity, and we will work on this through interdepartmental cooperation,” Simonida Kordić stated.
Tamas Kamarasi, President of the Board of Directors of the MFIC, said that this meeting sends a strong message that through joint efforts, a better tourism product can be achieved in the future, leading to better results overall.
“The Minister’s willingness to, immediately upon taking office, familiarize herself with the challenges faced by the Council’s member companies is seen as an extremely positive step. Today, we discussed many issues whose resolution begins with the establishment of continuous dialogue and intense cooperation. These principles are high on the priority list of the Foreign Investors Council, and we are encouraged that the Ministry of Tourism recognizes their importance. We believe that this will lead to concrete initiatives to improve the investment climate and enhance Montenegro’s tourism product,” said Tamas Kamarasi.
The meeting also touched upon data presented in the White Book – Investment Climate in Montenegro 2023, an annual publication in which the Council’s member companies assess the state of the business environment and highlight key challenges faced by foreign investors. The Council’s representatives particularly emphasized that it is a positive signal that the Ministry will focus exclusively on tourism-related issues, which this sector, given its importance to Montenegro, absolutely deserves.
Minister Kordić concluded that her department remains fully open to suggestions and discussions, stressing the importance of including all relevant stakeholders in order to improve the state of tourism.
