The Ministry of Tourism in Montenegro has decided to throw a whopping 550,000 euros at incentive measures in tourism this year. But is that enough to wake up the sleepy tourism sector, or is it just money down the drain? Let’s dive into this story that’s causing quite a stir in tourism circles.
Record Interest or Just Numbers?
The Ministry announced that this year’s call for financial support recorded a record number of applications. More applications than ever before! But does that mean tourism will finally get what it needs? The incentive program focuses on three main areas: support for events and festivals, development of rural tourism, and digitalization of the tourism offer. Sounds great on paper, but what about actual implementation?
Festival or Farce?
Support for organizing events and festivals aims to diversify the tourism offer. But how many of these events are truly sustainable and how much do they benefit local communities? The Ministry claims it wants a more balanced tourism development and stronger integration of local communities, but are locals really involved or just statistics in reports?
Rural Tourism – Savior or Myth?
A special focus is on improving the quality of services in rural tourism. Enhancing accommodation capacities in rural households and promoting sustainable development sounds like a dream for any tourist wanting to escape the city hustle. But how much of these funds actually reached rural households? And are these capacities ready for a serious tourism boom?
Digitalization – Savior or Another Empty Promise?
The Ministry plans to improve the quality of the tourism offer through digitalization, including the development of cultural, sports, recreational, and adventure tourism. But is Montenegrin tourism ready for a digital revolution, or will this be another project that ends up shelved?
Will Montenegro Become a More Competitive Destination?
The goal is to strengthen Montenegro’s competitiveness as a tourist destination and extend the season throughout the year. But with only 550,000 euros, is that realistic? Tourism is a huge business, and this amount feels like a drop in the ocean of needs.
Conclusion – Incentives Are There, But Where’s the Real Change?
The Ministry of Tourism promises to continue supporting initiatives that add value and contribute to sustainable tourism development. But is this just another pretty story, or will something actually change? While we wait for answers, maybe it’s time to ask your favorite tour guides what they think about these incentives. Or just have a laugh at yet another “revolution” in tourism.
If you have a good tourism joke or think this is just a waste of money, feel free to drop a comment. Let the people’s voice be heard, because tourism isn’t just numbers on paper—it’s the people and places we love to visit!
