Expect summer holidays in Montenegro to be more expensive by at least 30%

Prices of services on the Montenegrin coast in the upcoming tourist season will increase by at least 30%, announced Ilija Armeniko, a travel agent from Petrovac.

For Podgorica’s Dan daily, Armeniko assessed the situation as extremely complex, because Montenegro, although recognized as an attractive destination, was slowly losing pace with the region.

„Everyone complains that there is a lack of workforce, because workers go to Croatia for higher wages, and wealthier guests go there predominantly. The situation is such at the moment that we do not have the workforce to open the facilities,“ Armenko said.

He notes that despite higher salaries provided by Montenegrin hoteliers, in neighbouring Croatia, a head chef can earn up to 3,500 euros a month.

„In our country, the salaries of the head chefs range up to 2,000, and in Croatia up to 3,500 euros, which is why most of them go there, because the conditions are much better. In our country, salaries are higher by 30% or 40% than before, but the workforce goes where conditions are better. They are predicting a better season, but the question is whether it will be so,“ said Armenko.

Montenegrin tourism has been reduced to poverty

An additional problem, according to him, is the short duration of the season, and he cites Petrovac as an example, where the season, he says, lasts for about 40 days.

“In our country, tourism has been reduced to poverty. A fish plate in our country costs about 33 euros, while the same thing in Dubrovnik costs 120 euros. Our taxes are constantly increasing. Wealthier guests come to our country less and less often, half-board is between 30 and 40 euros, which means that for tourists from the west who come here it is cheaper to spend their holidays in Montenegro than to stay at home,“ Armeniko points out.

He believes that it is necessary, as he says, to look in the mirror and see how to proceed, because Montenegro, according to him, is becoming less and less competitive with the countries in the region.

Izvor: Politika

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