A new decision on the working hours of hospitality venues in Podgorica has sparked an uproar among restaurateurs and tourism workers. The Podgorica Hospitality Association has called for a public debate on July 10th, expressing serious concerns about the way the decision was made and its potential consequences for the city’s nightlife and tourism. Why is everything happening in secrecy? Why is the city administration making a decision that directly affects hundreds of venues and threatens thousands of jobs without public discussion or consultations with the tourism organization, restaurateurs, residents, and guests? The decision introduces restrictions on working hours, abolishes extended working hours except for three days a year, and imposes fines of 10 euros on legal entities, which could be devastating for small hospitality businesses. In a country that thrives on tourism, where tourists come not only for sun and sea but also for culture, music, and nightlife, such a decision could destroy Podgorica’s image as a vibrant urban destination. Reduced working hours mean fewer guests, less turnover, fewer tips, less tax revenue, fewer night taxi drivers, and less spending — all in the heart of the tourist season, while other countries stimulate nightlife as an important economic sector. Restaurateurs are calling on everyone interested to attend the public debate and join the fight for the future of nightlife and tourism in Podgorica.
