Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović has reiterated his call for the government to present a clear and responsible plan to support the tourism sector, which he described as a key pillar of the country’s economy.
Instead, he criticized what he sees as poor and short-sighted decisions, including the lack of transparency in beach lease agreements and delays in major infrastructure projects.
He emphasized that the government’s decision to raise VAT on tourism services from 7% to 15% was a serious mistake, making Montenegro less competitive and signaling that tourism is no longer a priority. Milatović returned the law to Parliament for reconsideration in September 2024, warning that declining tourism revenues are not a one-off issue, but a continuing trend likely to worsen in 2025 unless changes are made.
Milatović expressed strong concern about the plan to hold local elections in June 2027, during the peak tourist season. He said this would shift focus from attracting visitors and generating revenue to political campaigning, which he believes is the wrong priority.
He called on all political actors to show responsibility and ensure that elections are scheduled in spring or autumn to avoid disrupting the tourism season. He concluded by urging that tourism be treated as a strategic national priority.
