The Society of Economists is organizing a Forum in cooperation with the University of Donja Gorica (whose professor is Đikanović) and the Baltic management development association. The goal of the meeting is, as stated by Đikanović, that the offer of Montenegrin tourism gets linked to a new quest and new challenges in tourism.
"The Society of Economists organizes the seminar on current topics for the 23rd time with the participation of experts from abroad. From the same theme, it can be concluded that this is not about the usual tourism treatment but is critically considering tourism as the challenge of economic development. We are trying to discuss the challenges and dangers of tourism-based development in one place, such as the model of the development in Montenegro. That is why the Forum is basically asking: How to turn the dangers into challenges? Can this model of development be based on a constant, static search, domestic or regional, or need to stimulate much more demand from Europe but above all from Asia or China?" he explained.
As was pointed out, if we want tourism to be a truly a long-term accelerator of the development in Montenegro, it is necessary that with more knowledge and skills, we follow the megatrends of the development dictated by the IT economy.
"Briefly, the question is how to understand tourism as a production of understandings, new experiences of tourists, and less like the beautiful and sunny nature of the modern dormitory. We have been trying to organize a set-up that will be extremely useful for every tourist company and organization that essentially understands what kind of business tourism is."
A special panel of this year's Forum is the issue of tourism, and this, as stated by Đikanović, aims to point out the gap between the big and long-term strategic plans for tourism development in Montenegro and the staff base. "The question is: Does the current staff in tourism, as well as the current preparation of tourism staff (schools, universities, companies), fit this vision? We believe that big investors in Montenegrin tourism residences, as well as other participants, have had the benefit of getting acquainted with world-renowned schools for the education of staff in tourism, of which Vatel, the best international hospitality management school, is being realized in Montenegro. The Vatel program is one of the most practical and scientific ways to prepare for five-star hotels or a high-tourism strategy that is increasingly promoted and trained in practice. We know that profit is in the heads of people," he said.
The MA XXIII Development Forum in Milocer hosts guests from China, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Latvia, as well as from the region - Serbia, Croatia, Albania. That is why, as he adds, the working languages of the conference are Montenegrin, English and Chinese.
"Traditionally, the Prime Minister speaks at the Forum. Also, this year, Mr. Liu Jin, the Ambassador of the NR China in Montenegro will present the vision of the Pojas and Put Initiative, especially in the field of tourism and education. Along with them, the guest of the Forum and speaker is the director of the European Institute for Cultural Routes. We particularly want to emphasize cultural tourism, cultural heritage and wine tourism as factors for attracting tourists. We believe that the participants from Montenegro would have a great deal of benefit in getting to know the people who are looking for the Chinese market, the Asian market, the regional market, and that speakers at the Forum are representatives of the largest tour operators from China, namely Beijing and Shanghai, and their partners from Montenegro. The guests are from the tourist organizations of the Baltic states, Albania," says Đikanović.
Text by CdM, on September 20th, 2018, read more at CdM
