28 March 2019 - The Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management of Montenegro and local government of municipality of Budva are planning to assess the situation related to the remaining space within the promenade from Budva to Bečići and to execute a quality permanent plan for this location, said the director of the Enterprise, Predrag Jelušić, in a statement for RTV Budva. He expects this project to cost 10 million EUR.
The Coastal Zone Management Enterprise plans to allocate significant funds for the launch of an international competition for the selection of the best architectural and visual solution of the Lungo Mare promenade, from Sole Mio in Budva to Plavi kamen in Rafailovići.
"It will be a very challenging job for both companies and the local government. I believe that we will all be equally committed to reaching a quality solution because Lungo Mare should have a completely different form and a different tourist offer," Jelušić said during the interview.
He believes that after the reconstruction of the promenade in Tivat and Pet Danica in Herceg Novi, and the boardwalks in Čanj and Sutomore, it is now Budva’s turn to shine with a brand new promenade.
"I believe that Budva is ready to have this area planned in a quality way, for it to become a permanent space that will attract people for at least nine months of the year. We hope that we can breathe new life into the promenade and get it new, suitable facilities that will increase the quality of the tourist offer of Budva. The promenade should be a focal point that will make the city shine," Jelušić explained.
The president named the promenade in Tivat as an excellent example of how Montenegrin coast should be – spacious, with no temporary facilities and with a beautiful view. He added that this project will be financially demanding, but also beneficial for numerous hotel chains within the Coastal Zone, such as the Hotel Group Budvanska rivijera and other resorts that have interest in reconstructing the promenade according to the most up-to-date standards.
"I am expecting full commitment from local tourism organizations, because this topic of destination management is crucial for our city. The guest who comes to Budva wants every segment of the city to be functional, from parking to horticulture," Jelušić added.
He concluded that the capital of tourism, Budva, has the potential to complete all these projects that are crucial not only for the development of the city but for the growth of tourism in Montenegro as a country.
