Instead of a booming summer season, Montenegro’s coastline is marked by empty beaches, tired waiters and frustrated tourists stuck in traffic or leaving the country early. The tourism sector is facing what experts are calling one of the worst-organized seasons in a decade.
Petar Odžić, president of the Budva Municipal Assembly, criticized the state-run company “Morsko Dobro,” responsible for managing coastal areas, for becoming a hub of political nepotism and dysfunction. According to him, the company has failed to prepare for the season, leaving many beach operators without permits and allowing around 20% to operate illegally. The result: dirty, neglected beaches and no oversight.
Tourism worker Zorka Raičević echoed these concerns, stating that foreign guests are shocked by the lack of basic infrastructure such as showers and clean facilities. Restaurants suffer from a shortage of trained staff and low hygiene standards.
Traffic chaos, worsened by infrastructure projects during peak season and uncoordinated roadwork, has caused massive delays. Tourists have missed flights or abandoned their trips entirely due to blocked roads and lack of state response.
Raičević also pointed out that hotels have vacant rooms in late July, something unseen in previous years. Even with many charter flights and connections to Podgorica and Tivat, she questioned whether Montenegro is simply a transit point, as the increased air traffic doesn’t reflect in local tourism numbers.
Calls for decentralization and reform of “Morsko Dobro” are growing, with demands for more accountable and efficient local management. As things stand, the current state of disarray poses a serious threat to Montenegro’s reputation as a regional tourism leader.
