Montenegro’s government has identified Plav, the Prokletije mountain range and the wider northern region as priority areas for sustainable and active-tourism development, with planned support covering local infrastructure, agriculture, energy investment and the revitalisation of Plav Lake. The policy approach is aimed at increasing tourism activity outside the coastal region and strengthening economic opportunities for northern municipalities through tourism development.
Plav has a natural tourism base built around mountain landscapes, hiking routes, lakes, traditional villages and access to cross-border active-tourism corridors. The area also benefits from a significant diaspora presence, which can contribute to family visits, property investment and local business activity.
Tourism growth in the region remains limited by infrastructure and commercial capacity. Accommodation facilities are smaller and more fragmented than those on the coast, while road access, signage, waste management and public services require further improvement to meet the expectations of international visitors.
The revitalisation of Plav Lake is planned as a central element of broader destination development. The lake has environmental, recreational and visual importance, with future activities requiring protection of water quality and natural habitats. Tourism development in the Prokletije area targets a different segment from coastal mass tourism, focusing on hiking, nature, cycling, climbing and cultural experiences. These activities can support local guesthouses, guides, transport operators, farms and food producers.
Active tourism visitors can contribute to longer stays and wider distribution of spending, while requiring maintained trails, reliable visitor information, emergency services and professional booking systems.
Cross-border tourism routes connecting Montenegro with Albania and Kosovo represent an additional development opportunity. Their expansion requires coordination in areas including trail management, border procedures, marketing and safety standards. Agricultural support measures could contribute to the tourism sector through local food production, farm stays and regional products. The economic impact will depend on producers’ ability to supply hotels and restaurants consistently while meeting food-safety requirements.
Energy investment is also included among the announced support areas. Reliable electricity and heating solutions are considered important for enabling accommodation facilities in northern municipalities to operate during colder months. Renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects could contribute to lower operating costs and improved year-round tourism potential. The announced measures remain at the level of policy commitments, with no detailed capital allocation, construction timetable or complete project list attached to the tourism development plans for Plav. Further progress will depend on funded projects, institutional responsibilities and implementation of planned measures.
