Cue Podgorica
– WHERE LIFE AND BUSINESS MEET IN MONTENEGRO – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SLAVICA STOJKOVIC, GENERAL MANAGER
In the past few years, we have witnessed an increase in the number of tourists visiting the capital city of Montenegro. What does Podgorica, as a destination, have to offer?
Podgorica is centrally located, and it is its major advantage which has been neglected. Within an hour’s drive you are at the beach or on the mountains. Returning in the evening for shopping, dining, and the nightlife in the town center. Still, Podgorica is not on the tourist map yet, and it requires significant effort to change the current perception and introduce the new modern, lively, yet affordable city – you name it, we can make it happen. There is a huge potential. We have witnessed some differences over the last year. The market is rapidly changing, and in addition to Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish market, we are now also having guests from Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Spain, Portugal, and other new markets. Also, the length of stay has increased comparing to the previous years.
Montenegro is a beautiful country with incredible nature, but its promotion should not solely rely on that. We still need to develop, not only major strategies for tourism development, spreading tourism activities equally throughout the country, instead of concentrating on the coast and increasingly on the north. Strategies, such as developing a MICE destination, maybe even a shopping destination, would contribute not only to equal distribution of income from tourism, but also to prolonging the season, or rather having a whole year tourism. I am sure that there are a lot of ideas by brilliant professionals we have in Montenegro, but a main detractor for all tourist now is accessibility of the destination. This is where our government, should put all of its efforts to improve and support.
What are the biggest challenges that the hotel industry faces from your company’s perspective?
The key to success is at the same time the biggest challenge we are facing in the hotel industry – human resources, in all areas of hospitality.
This is a challenge that not only our country is facing but also the countries in the region. We are witnessing a significant outflow of skilled employees. Still, our company is doing its best in trying to keep the locals.
Podgorica has the potential to be an exquisite MICE destination, but capacity is a challenge as the Capital lacks big conference centers and exhibition halls. Podgorica, with an excellent position, easy and quick access to both southern and northern parts of the country, could be the center for tourism fairs, workshops and so much more. Definitely there are a lot of ideas, but what is lacking is the will, primarily the political will, to elevate this beautiful, yet relatively undiscovered country, to a higher level that it truly deserves.
CUE Podgorica
Cetinjska 7, The Capital Plaza, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro +382 20 684 000 cue-podgorica.com