Fact file of Montenegro:

MONTENEGRO – PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC

The Republic of Montenegro is situated in the Balkans. On one side it exits to the Adriatic- Mediterranean region, and on the other, through the Pannonian basin, it is connected with the Central Europe. Montenegro is small in area, but its comparative natural advantages, its richness in cultural and historical sights and other features make it a very attractive tourist destinations.
The tourist accommodation capacities are 150,000 beds, of which 37,000 are in the basic-type facilities (hotels, motels, pensions, tourist villages). A marked disproportion in the physical distribution of the accommodation results in that numerous, highly attractive, ecologically appealing and very demanded tourist potentials are on the margins of development and present a good ground for international investments.
The most developed are "swimming" (summer) and "skiing" (winter) forms of tourism. On the Montenegrin Seaside (the coastline of 293 km) there are numerous sand and pebble beaches - 117 in total, 73 km in length of which sand beaches make 33 km. The capacity of the beaches is 230,000 bathers. The fact that the air temperature over six months of the year is higher than 18ºC, together with the adequate water temperature and increased insulation, make the Montenegrin seaside one of the warmest and sunniest tourist regions in Europe.
Although classified as a Mediterranean country, Montenegro is a typical mountainous region in which the zones of over 1,000 m comprise 60.5% of its territory. The Montenegrin mountain ranges extending from Maglic, Volujak and Bioce in the west, to Prokletije in the east, and are intersected by magnificent canyons of the Piva, the Komarnica, the Susica, the Tara and the Moraca. Adorned with more than 35 picturesque lakes, it presents one of the most attractive and ecologically best-preserved mountainous regions of Yugoslavia and Europe. Besides, the winter mountain tourism is provided for, adhering to the requirement of a minimum of 60 m2 of track per skier. Thus, the total capacity is around 200,000 accommodation units (2,800 beds).
The old town of Kotor and the Tara canyon are of particular value and under the protection of UNESCO. There are four national parks, which are the most attractive and ecologically best preserved nature reserves (Durmitor, Biogradska gora , Lake Skadar, and Lovcen). The intentions are to establish two more (Orjen and Prokletije).
Montenegro is the sea foam but also the snow dust. In November or in May, a tourist can swim in the clean sea, and on the same day, after only two-hour drive, they can ski on the Bjelasica or Durmitor mountains.

MONTENEGRO INBOUND TOURISM:

VISA REQUIRMENTS:
Foreigners do not need any visa upon arrival at Montenegrin border as they approach direct check - points:

• Via international airports in Podgorica, Tivat and Cilipi beside Dubrovnik(Croatia)
• Via mainland route from border check-points from Dubrovnik in Croatia
• Via Vilusi from Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Via Bozaj from Albania
• Via port border check - points in Bar, Kotor, Budva and Zelenika

AIR TRAFFIC:
Airline Companies:
Montenegro Airlines: - Montenegrin airlines company "Montenegro Airlines" flies from Tivat and Podgorica Airport, with daily flights Podgorica-Beograd-Podgorica and international flights on routes: Podgorica-Ljubljana (Slovenia)-Podgorica, Podgorica-Frankfurt-Podgorica, Podgorica-Zurich-Podogrica, Podgorica-Budapest- Podgorica and Podgorica-Rome-Podgorica.
Yugoslav Airlines (JAT) - Yugoslav Airlines (JAT) has its main office in Belgrade with direct flights to Podgorica and Tivat.
British Airways (BA) – fly three times a week directly to Dubrovnik from both Heathrow and Gatwick.
Air Lingus – three flights a week, Dublin and Cork directly to Dubrovnik

AIRPORTS:
Tourists visiting Montenegro have choice of using two international airports in Podgorica and Tivat. Airport Golubovci is located 12 km from downtown Podgorica, 80 km from Kolasin, 170 km from Zabljak, 62 km from Budva and 65 km from Bar. Airport Tivat is located 4 km from downtown of Tivat, 20 km from Budva, 20 km from Herceg Novi, 58 km from Bar, 73 km from Ulcinj and 80 km from Podgorica.

MARITINE TRAFFIC:
Ferry routes: - International: Montenegro is connected with neighboring countries via ferry: Bar-Bari(Itali)-Bar, Bar-Ancona(Itali)-Bar.
Domestic: - On the route from Lepetani to Kamenari the transport of passengers and vehicles is organized by the ferry - boat.
Ports:
Passenger and cargo transports ports in Montenegro are Bar, Kotor, Zelenika.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC:
The overall length of railway system in Montenegro is 249 km. The regular track is in use. The main railway destinations are Bar-Podgorica-Beograd, Podgorica-Niksic and Podgorica-Skadar (Albania).
Railway offices in Montenegro: Podgorica, Bar, Bijelo Polje, Niksic

ROAD TRAFFIC:
The total length of roads in Montenegro is 5,174 km. Two main roads are Adriatic highway from Igalo to Ulcinj (on the Adriatic coast) and highway system Petrovac on the coast - Podgorica-Kolasin-Bijelo Polje (near Serbian border connecting northern and southern Montenegro).

Information about tourist organizations and offices:
Merkur Bar – +382 (0)85/ 313-618
Prekookeanska plovidba Bar – +382 (0)85/ 312-318
Inturs Podgorica – +382 (0)81/ 633-801
Jugoagent Podgorica – +382 (0)81/ 241-810, 243-756
Montenegroekspres Budva – +382 (0)86/ 451-388
Gorbis Herceg Novi – +382 (0)88/ 322-085, 324-423

MONTENEGRO STATISTICS

Total surface area: 13.812 km2
Total population of Montenegro: 658.000
Length of borders: 614 km
Administrative Capital: Podgorica(179.000 inhabitants), administrative and economic center
Historical Capital: Cetinje-historical and cultural center
Total length of beaches in Montenegro: 73 km
Total length of seacoast: 293 km
The Longest beach: Velika plaza, located by the city called Ulcinj.
Total length of the baech -13.000 m
The highest mountain peak: Babotov kuk, (mountain Durmitor), 2.522 m
The largest lake: Skadar lake-391 km2
The deepest canyon: The River Tara Canyon-1.300 m
The largest Bay in Montenegro: Boka Kotorska
Climate: Mediterranean
Average air temperature in summer: 27.4 C
Maximal sea temperature: 27.1 C
Average number of sunny days in a year: 240
Swimming season: 180 days
Sea color: Dark blue
Sea transparency: 38-56 m

Terrain: Extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coast.
Elevation Levels: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Daravica 2,656 m

NOTE:
Currently, there is a lack of strong international tour operators on the market, mainly due to the lack of sufficient accommodation. However, if the infrastructure is built, there is a potential to develop cooperation with major tour operators in Europe that are seeking new destinations. Further, since the recent disaster in tsunami this creates an opportunity for visitors that are seeking new “exotic” locations but that are considered safer and closer to home.

WHY MONTENEGRO?

• Mediterranean-semi tropical climate 
• Over 240 sunny days in a year (minimum 8 hours per day)
• Excellent skiing at Durmitor and Zabljak only 3 hrs from the coastline
• Skiing season-December to May
• Tara Canyon, the second deepest in the world next to the Grand Canyon, is 78 km long and an average depth 1300 meters
• White water rafting in the Tara Canyon listed in the top five best rafting locations in the world
• Hand gliding and parasailing are very popular in Montenegro because of the excellent up-draphs
• Mountain climbing and nature walks through some of the most beautiful and scenic regions of Europe
• Montenegro has twice won the most beautiful beaches in the world awards
• Scuba diving with water visibility of 70 meters
• Property prices only 33% of neighboring Croatia
• Food and drink- an average meal for two, including a bottle of house wine is on  average 22 euros in Montenegro
• Travel time London Heathrow-Tivat 3 hours
• EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTMENT

Bullet points on Montenegro

• Tourism in Montenegro
  • 2004 - 500.000
  • 2005 - 800.000
  • 2006 – in excess of 1.5 million

• World Tourism Council predictions in 2004 were that Montenegro would be the fastest growing tourism economy in the world for the next 10 years.  Montenegro has outperformed their predictions.

Government investment in infrastructure

• Podgorica airport, a new 7.500 sq. meters terminal building was built plus additional ramp space extensions, runway upgrading, new radar system, all now completed. 
• A new tunnel from the coastline through the mountains in excess of 6 kilometers plus an additional road ways has now been completed, making access from the coast to the capital airport only 35 minutes.
• Major investments in water supplies and sewage treatment systems have started along the coastline.  This is a 5 to 10 year program to facilitate major coastline developments.
• Tivat airport set for major investment in 2007 in a joint venture between UEP and the Montenegrin government.
• New upper coast motorway to be constructed.   The Government of Montenegro is set to start construction on the new upper coast highway system, linking to the Croatian highway system which is now on its final leg of the development from Split to Dubrovnik.  The Montenegrin highway will connect to the proposed Albanian upper coast highway connecting through to Greece.  Timeline for construction and completion 8 to 10 years.
• The coastline road of Montenegro is to be totally refurnished with street lightening and an additional lane put in where possible on circa 60% of the main costal road. 
• Montenegro in May 2006 voted 55% in favor for a split from a loose federation with Serbia.  Montenegro is now a fully independent country and the newest formed country in Europe.
• September 2006 Milo Djukanovic and his party won the general election overwhelmingly and his party will now lead the country for the next 4 years.
• Milo Djukanovic decided having led the country for 20 years to stand down as a Prime Ministry and positioned Mr. Zeljko Sturanovic as the new Prime Minister.
• Montenegro is set to become a new tax haven in Europe.  Corporation tax along with all other taxes will be set at 9% within 3 years to entice major inward investment and development of the tourism economy in Montenegro.
• Montenegro signs up to the IMF agreement in November 2006.
• Montenegro enjoys in 2006 the signing of major investment deals worth in excess of 3 billion euros which ranked Montenegro as the highest inward investment per capita in Europe in 2006.

It is important to understand that Montenegro is a country in transition.  There are many things still wrong within the country form the infrastructural point of view; however these issues are being addressed with strategic plans and investment packages and will always facilitate new investment in Montenegro. 
Because the county is in transition there is a fantastic opportunity for profit from development.  Montenegro is naturally beautiful and sells itself to any holiday home investor because of its scenic surroundings and beautiful coastline.  Montenegro is set to become the new Mecca in southern Europe for tourism.