02 January 2018 - This year's Forbes list of the best budget destinations offers something for every type of traveller. Aside from San Antonio in Texas, USA and Taipei in Taiwan, the popular business magazine included the Balkan Peninsula, and Herceg Novi in the 18 best budget destinations for 2019.

Some people may not be able or willing to spend much money, but wish to travel around the world anyhow. The ever-growing travel wish lists are definitely putting a lot of pressure on our budget. Luckily, there are plenty of destinations where you can get all the options you dream about without breaking the bank.

There are many tips and tricks on keeping expenses low while travelling, such as travelling around cities by foot, cycling, hitchhiking, using cheaper options when it comes to public transport, camping, buying food and necessities in supermarkets, self-catering, visiting free museums, galleries, joining group tours etc. Another way to save money is to calculate or evaluate a travel budget before the departure. It certainly helps to know the budget and the cost of living of the country you are traveling to.

It is also beneficial to learn about cheap destinations that can make your dreams a reality. Alexandra Talty, the senior contributor to Forbes Magazine, recently wrote an article on “The 18 Best Budget Travel Destinations For 2019”. As she wrote in the article, from the Philippines to Armenia, this list of the best budget travel destinations has something to offer to every kind of traveller.  The article explains that many places can provide an outsized experience that is still affordable to many.

Talty’s List of Budget Travel Destinations for 2019 includes Herceg Novi as the most representative budget destination of this part of Europe. She wrote that if a traveller wants to experience Europe on a budget, she would recommend exploring the Balkan Peninsula. Talty considers that Croatia is the most popular Balkan country, but it can be quite expensive, so she recommends starting a trip around the Balkan Peninsula in Herceg Novi, Montenegro!

The journalist quoted traveller expert’s review of their visit to Montenegro: “I spent five days in Montenegro last year, and I felt like it was never enough. We went on a boat tour to Perast, Porto Montenegro, Our Lady of the Rocks and wrapped up the trip by kayaking and paddle boarding on the beach nearby. Other fun activities include paragliding and diving. The best part is that all of these activities are way cheaper compared to other European cities.”

List of Budget Travel Destinations for 2019 also includes San Antonio (Texas), Puebla (Mexico), Hawaii (USA), St. Helena, Province of Laguna (the Philippines), Agra (India), Budapest (Hungary), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Gobi Desert (Mongolia), South Africa, Zanzibar, Armenia, Serbia, Transylvania (Romania), George Town (Malaysia), Moscow (Russia) and Taipei (Taiwan).

01 January 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković said in an interview for a special holiday edition of Pobjeda daily that there is no compromise on the State and the issues that are of interest to all its citizens. We have determined, the Prime Minister pointed out, the directions of development that are focused on the European quality of life. 

"At the level at which these two interests coincide, any possibility of compromise with those who think or wish contrary to interest of Montenegro and all of its citizens, regardless of political commitment, national or religious affiliation, ceases. If it were different, then we would talk about some other values, and that cannot happen in today's Montenegro," PM Marković stressed.

When asked about the social consensus within Montenegro and the dialogue, the Prime Minister said that the intention of his permanent invitation for dialogue was that opposition subjects should be distanced from their commitment to political ghettoization, which naturally does not contribute to the prosperity of society and the welfare of citizens. 

"Only in institutions we can represent the interests of citizens, and I am convinced that the boycott, regardless of motives, is undermining the political system and democracy," PM Marković noted. 

Recalling the complex political situation since the beginning of the Government's mandate and the need to deal with fiscal challenges, Prime Minister Marković said that the results were achieved in terms of consolidating public finances. 

"The robust economic growth of 4.7 percent in 2017 and 4.9 in the first nine months of 2018 indicate that in the past two years we have been successful and that we have largely solved the essential issues of relevance to the economic progress of the country," the Prime Minister said, reminding that the number of employees has increased by over 11,000, that the gross income per capita has increased and the stability of public services has been ensured. 

In order to achieve these indicators it was important, the Prime Minister added, to improve the administration and institutional system, remove barriers and improve the business environment, and integration into NATO and negotiations with the EU gave significant contribution. 

When asked when citizens will start to feel the positive effects of the results he is talking about, the Prime Minister said that he is convinced that Montenegrin citizens are already feeling the effects of a two-year strong economic growth. 

"Our focus was on directing the effects of economic growth on further building of social infrastructure and improving the quality of public services order to improve the standard of living of citizens. In particular, we have worked to ensure that economic growth is reflected in an increase in employment, while preserving the level of salaries, pensions and social benefits in the country, at a time of fiscal consolidation. We succeeded in that," he said, adding that the quality of life is not only determined by the salary. 

The Prime Minister also spoke of many other benefits that the thousands of citizens gained through numerous incentives, for example, in education and agriculture. He said that over 12,000 pupils, students or their parents felt concrete financial benefits in the past two years. 

Pointing to the fact that agro-budget is growing year after year, PM Marković said that we have dozens of programmes and incentives for farmers. He said that about 10 thousand producers were supported with around EUR 10 million through the programmes of direct payments. 

"In the next two years of the mandate, the Government will work to create the preconditions for continuing economic growth and its even stronger impact on increasing the employment and income of citizens, i.e. the growth in the average salary in the country and pensions. We carefully look at possible ways of increasing the minimum wage," Prime Minister emphasised. 

Furthermore, he talked about the need to fight the grey economy and in that context announced the amendment of several tax laws, but also stressed the need for synergy between the institutions in charge of this area, that is, the inspection, the police and the prosecution.

PM Marković also spoke about the EU integration process and stated that the opening of the chapter Environment is a great success for Montenegro: "At the same time, it is a great obligation, but also an opportunity to use our potentials and preserve the environment. This is the essence of negotiation and approximation process with EU values." 

We are guided, as he said, by the quality, not only the speed, but we will not ignore the importance of the dynamics of progress along that path. He pointed out that opening of chapter 8 is a priority, but also an opportunity for an even stronger dialogue with the European Commission and Member States on the process of closing the chapter. 

"The European Commission and the Member States stated 2025 as the possible date for a new enlargement. We will certainly do everything that is up to us to make the dynamics as successful as possible and make this date a reality," the Prime Minister said. 

Responding to questions about legalization, PM Marković said he was satisfied with the number of reported illegally built facilities. He stated that the ultimate goal of legalization was not only to list illegally built facilities, but also to legalize and invest the fees for utility planning in the infrastructure. 

He pointed out that new illegal construction will absolutely not be tolerated, and that we notice that local governments and their administration are the main point of slowing down these processes, because they do not use possibilities given by the Law. 

Asked whether the concession at the Airports of Montenegro will definitely be given in the next year, and whether he expects this to provoke a crisis of coalition government, the Prime Minister said that the state of the infrastructure is a serious obstacle for further dynamic development and that investment in it has no alternative. 

"In particular, we do not have time to arbitrate on different political approaches. In this context, the urgent development and valorization of the airport is a necessity, precisely because close to two-thirds of those who come to Montenegro come through our airports. Do we need any further elaboration," the Prime Minister concluded. 

01 January 2019 - The President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, wishes citizens of Montenegro a happy New Year, with good health, personal and family happiness and prosperity in all areas. As he emphasized, 2018 will be remembered for good deeds, and the expectation is that 2019 will be even better.

“After we successfully resolved all important strategic issues in the 2006 referendum and over the 12-year period of our independence, fostered our security and political stability, improved the inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations, we have established grounds for boosting the economic and democratic development aimed at reaching a new, high-quality standard of living for all our citizens,” noted President Đukanović.

The 2018 election results undoubtedly confirmed support to the state policy we have been implementing at the national, and the international level said President of Montenegro.

President Đukanović wishes all Montenegrins a happy and prosperous New Year.

“Happy New Year especially to our representatives in the military and civilian missions worldwide, our diligent and loyal diaspora, to all our people wherever they are. I would also like to wish a happy New Year to all foreigners living and working in Montenegro and all our guests who decided to spend the New Year’s Eve in our country. Happy New Year to all of you! E viva Montenegro,” said President of Montenegro.

President of Montenegro recently came back from his official visit to Argentina, where he opened the Montenegrin house.

Đukanović was honoured to represent Montenegro in Argentina and witness the implementation of the project “Montenegrin House“ with the support of the representatives of Sáenz Peña, the whole province of Chaco, and with the assistance of Montenegrin emigrants. “This is the first project of its kind in this part of the world, which symbolizes Montenegro's eternity and the Montenegrins rooted in the foundations of the Argentinean society, as well as the sustainability of the Montenegrin-Argentine friendship. It is also a symbol of the progress of our country, as well as the success of its sons who for centuries went to distant lands,” the President explained in his speech.

01 January 2019 - Further movements of interest rates on loans will mostly depend on effects of the normalization of monetary policy in the EU. If interest rates remain unchanged, as the monetary authorities in the EU are announcing, I expect that they will remain at the same level in Montenegro too, said the Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro, Radoje Žugić.

He said that interest rates could go up if the European Central bank drastically changed the course of its policy and increased reference rates. However, trends at the European market do not indicate drastic changes in the policy in 2019, and, therefore, the CB does not expect an impact on domestic money price.

“A strong trend of reduction in interest rates in Montenegro has been obvious for quite some time. Although they are recording historically minimum levels, interest rates are still very high, that is, they do not contribute to minimizing the weaknesses of the real sector – non-liquidity and insufficient competitiveness,” said Žugić.

According to him, interest rates on savings are at an extremely low level.

Žugić pointed out that the Central Bank had prepared and delivered to the Government recommendations for the economic policy for 2019.

“By analyzing the overall macroeconomic situation, we have identified the domains where it is necessary to undertake specific measures, to increase competitiveness and improve the business environment and thus open the growth potentials necessary for more intense economic growth and reduction of risks involved. The Budget plan for the next year was projected on real bases and by the recommendations of the Central Bank. The key factor of maintaining fiscal sustainability is the consistent implementation of the measures of fiscal consolidation,” said Žugić.

After analyzing business environment, it has been stated that improvement of competitiveness is one of the key components for conducting appropriate economic policy.

“In that context, we made a recommendation that should entail changes rates of contribution on the salaries. We have also suggested considering the possibility of increasing minimum wage, as well as continuous work on suppressing grey economy to create an effective measure for increasing competitiveness and reducing the informal economy. According to the assessment of the potential negative impact on fiscal indicators, the Government’s opinion is that there is no space for an increase of minimum wage next year. However, it is necessary to consider this implementation,” says Žugić.

Asked whether the request of the opposition regarding the reduction of excise on fuel due to high growth rates is founded, Žugić says that chances for that are slim, due to the process of the rehabilitation of debt and deficit.

He also said that the temporary management in Atlas and IBM was introduced with the aim of considering possibilities for the continuation of their business.

“If the reports show that their business is sustainable, recapitalization will be called. The existing owners will have the advantage. In case of a negative report, the outcome would be taking away the work permit and instigation of bankruptcy proceedings,” said the Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro.

01 January 2018 - More than 2,1 million tourists came to Montenegro in 2018, with the total profit higher than 1 billion EUR in the first nine months. There have been over 12 and a half million of overnights. The year 2018 was definitely an impressive year, said the Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Pavle Radulović. 

“Both pre and post season in 2018 was record. Another impressive fact is that that for the first time in the history of Montenegro, there were million tourists in Montenegrin hotels,” said Radulović.

Taking into consideration the hotels that are being constructed or those that have been planned, we can expect significant expansion of the capacities of high-quality accommodation.

“We are going to keep up with the work on achieving our strategic objective in tourism, and that is making Montenegro high-quality tourism destination. Such results are encouraging and make us happy, but they also oblige us to commit so that trend of growth and progress in tourism continues,” said Radulović.

He points out that Montenegrin winter centers are competitive with the countries from the region thanks to the diversity of offer, quality and prices. 

“When it comes to Kolašin, I am sure that, with the development of ski centers and other amenities, it can attract a much higher number of tourists. Also, I think that Kolašin and Žabljak should not be competitive with one another, but with other regional centers. It is important to point out that infrastructure in the mountains is used during summer too. We are continuously investing in winter centers because that way we will provide promotion of different segments of tourism offer, extend the season in the northern part of our state and improve accommodation capacities. All this will be followed by connection with other relevant economic areas, and that will create new jobs,” said Radulović.

As Radulović states, total amount of investments in development and tourism projects is around 214 million EUR.

Asked what the key amendments of the existing Law on on tourism are, Radulović explained that one of the key objectives of that Law was minimizing all forms of the grey zone in tourism, along with raising the level of consumers protection.

“Although full controls have been carried out successfully during the season, the practice has shown that it is necessary to amend specific segments so that the Law can be applied more easily. The domain of tourism and hotel industry is very complex, and it is directly or indirectly related to other domains. That is why we had to amend specific items and define them more clearly,” explained Radulović.

One of the challenges tourism industry is faced with is the lack of staff.

“The highest deficit refers to the first and the second education level, where the demand exceeds the supply by even up to 40%. Increase in accommodation capacities and diversification of the offer in tourism require new staff and, in that context, there is training for professional education and acquiring qualifications that will satisfy specific requirements and types of offer in the tourism sector. In the forthcoming period, we will be working on improving the image of professional occupations via some promotional campaigns,” says Radulović.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

31 December 2018 - The Belgrade band Riblja Čorba introduced several thousand people of Herceg Novi and its guests to 2019. For the first time, the Herceg Novi Tourist Organization organized a reception on the plateau in front of the hotel Igalo and impressed visitors very successfully.

Riblja Čorba, a rock/hard rock band, formed four decades ago, was in its element, warming the audience, after a heavy storm, performing hits: „Kad hodaš“, „Kad sam bio mlad“, „Poslednja pesma o tebi“, „Rekla je“, „Lutka sa naslovne strane“, „Kada padne noć“, „Amsterdam“, „Gde si u ovom glupom hotelu“, „Nemoj da ideš mojom ulicom“ etc.

The audience sang both old and new songs composed by Bora Đorđević. In the breaks, he even read his humorous verses from the books he recently published.  Pre-band "Light under the Black Mountain" also had a great performance and left audience impressed.

At midnight Santa Claus descended from the roof of Sole Mar building, while the fireworks made a magnificent experience. The actor Miloš Pejović and the best women basketball player of Montenegro, Dragana Živković congratulated the New Year's to the world.

"It is great, full parking, one-way street is all shaky, vibrant. Trade houses came with various offerings, and there were 6,000 of us for sure," as confirmed by few of the guests.

The Tourist Organization of Herceg Novi said that they are satisfied that everything went well during New Year's Eve with Jelena Rozga and tonight with Riblja Čorba.

31 December 2018 - Azmont Investments has invested 369.4 million EUR in Portonovi Resort so far, while the total amount of investments is estimated at 650 million EUR. Currently, 1900 employees are engaged in the company and on the construction site.

Data on the realization of tourist investments in Herceg Novi were submitted to Azmont investments and OHM Mamula Montenegro, which has made 2.1 million EUR on the realization of Lastavica from the planned 15 million.

It has been estimated that most of the projects on the coast are carried out following the obligations under the contracts and Investment Programmes.

In Kumbor, at the port of Portonovi Resort, work on the walls, waterproofing, shafts, earthworks, concrete brickwork and tile works are underway, as well as the works on parquet arrangement, ceramic tiles around the pool, stone paving, paving the main road, balustrade and gates. Also, procurement of furniture and equipment for outdoor space, installation of outdoor lighting, greening (irrigation, trees and grass), supply and installation of doors and windows for exhibition spaces, facade production, masonry works in the interior are already being done. There is also procurement and installation of metal and rolling shutters, mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, sewage services, supply and installation of sprinklers, production of hydrant network, installation of heating and cooling systems, ventilation and smoke extraction, installation of video surveillance and building management system.

The completion of the construction of the heating and cooling plant, the main project of the traffic and technical infrastructure and the main project of the One and Only hotel, is expected to be completed soon in Portonovi Resort.

The contract on a long-term lease of the former military barracks "Orjenski bataljon" was signed on July 10 2012, and came into force with the signing of the Protocol on handover, on February 8 2013.

From the company OHM Mamula Montenegro they informed that from the planned 15 million EUR for the adaptation of the fortress Mamula on the island of Lastavica so far, 2.1 million EUR had been spent. The conservation programme and the architecture project to the Directorate for the Protection of Monuments are being consented, and the main project is being revised. An underwater biodiversity study has been carried out, the elaboration of the Environmental Impact Assessment is in the final stage. Also, works are underway on the model room of the future hotel, and the main project of the underwater cable from the cape Arza to the island Lastavica is completed. 

The agreement on a long-term lease of the site Lastavica with Mamula fortress, posted on February 23, 2015, has been leased for 49 years, as well as the reconstruction of the Mamula fortress in a unique hotel of a museum character, with a category of 5 stars, following conservative conditions.

31 December 2018 - "Budva is Monte Carlo of this part of the world, here I feel at home and I have additional responsibility to make a special concert every time in Budva, so that you can expect something completely new tonight," Dino Merlin announced a day before the New Year’s Eve. It was a concert to remember, starting with lasers that cut through the cool air within the city, through the visualizations that followed every gesture and movement, the new arrangements, dancers, perfect backing vocals, all the way to Dino Merlin himself, a singer so cheerful, who made a real connection with the guests, the perfect professional who stayed on the stage for over two hours and really left his heart with the audience.

With the song “Hajde noćas mi dođi, svega mi donesi” and gorgeous fireworks, the locals from Budva, numerous visitors from all the countries of the region and other cities of Montenegro, entered the New Year 2019. The band "Jack Lupino & Leftovers" from Budva was given the opportunity to present itself to the audience last night for the first time for New Year celebration, followed by the rock band “Aerodrom”, who reminded all visitors of their good, old hits.

The celebratory program at the main city square started on Friday, December 28 at 9 pm, when local hip hop band "Most wanted" entertained the crowd. The atmosphere only got better with "Who see", the well-known Montenegrin duo, while the culmination of the evening was the performance of the “Beogradski sindikat", when numerous fans sang all the songs and lit several torches.

The following day was marked with a complete change in the genre of the performances, and an even greater number of visitors. On the occasion of the great jubilee, the 20th anniversary of the celebration of the New Year at the square, the second day of the Budva musical spectacle began with the performance of the ethno band "Zora" from Bar. The bard of folk music Halid Bešlić held a concert that will be the main conversation topic of numerous visitors for a long time, while Marija Šerifović only continued the concert program in the spirit of good energy and quality interpretation. Many guests commented that December 29 was celebrated just like New Year's Eve.

A completely new performance in Budva, and probably in whole Montenegro took place on the third night, Sunday, December 30, when local DJs Urketone and John K warmed up the audience, after which the stage was taken over by the Turkish-Dutch producer and DJ Burak Jeter. The famous DJ from Amsterdam managed to transfer great energy from the stage to the audience that filled the city square for two hours.

One of the most important DJs in the history of electronic music, British DJ and producer Daren Emerson - a former member of "Underworld", came to the stage at midnight, and the night reached its peak. The audience was thrilled, and the celebration went on deep into the night.

The evening  of January 1 from 9 pm will bring a rock party, and it is to be expected that despite the cold weather, the bands "Akademia", "Partibrejkers" and "Van Gogh" will warm up all visitors of Budva.

31 December 2018 - Tens of thousands of people welcomed the New Year 2019 at the square in front of the Old Town in Budva, according to the Tourist Organization of Budva. Director Maja Liješević pointed out that the hotels in Budva recorded an occupancy rate of almost 90%, while private accommodation was mostly reserved for guests from the countries of the region.

The New Year celebration in Budva started with "Jack Lupino and the Leftovers", after which the crowd welcomed “Aerodrom", one of the most famous bands of Yugoslavia. The locals and tourists had the opportunity to enter the year 2019 with the songs of Dino Merlin.

The representatives of Tourist Organization of Budva consider that their effort paid off, that the program was planned and  implemented in the right way to satisfy a broad auditorium and different age structure of visitors. They also highlighted that even thought the program was rich in performances, it did not lose quality, which was the intention of the organizers.

On the eve of December 31, Budva welcomed guests from all over the region, not only from Montenegro. It is not accidental that on the year Budva is celebrating its 20th anniversary of organizing the New Year's Eve in the city square, the program will last for five days. The three previous nights (December 28,29 and 30) were a really good overture and had a great guest attendance, but the crown night with the best atmosphere and quality was the New Year’s Eve.

Daily programs in Budva and Petrovac were mainly aimed at the youngest visitors who enjoyed theatre plays from the Budva Drama Studio, actors from the City Theatre from Podgorica and "UV Dance" from Belgrade, but also at some of the older guests who appreciate the sound of city orchestras and coastal bands.

Source: RTCG

January 1, 2019 - Old Year Regatta, held yesterday in Tivat Bay, once again presented Tivat and Boka Bay as an ideal sailing destination throughout the year and also on the New Year's holidays. The local sailor's initiative, apart from the enjoyment for sea-lovers and sailing, is also an exceptional marketing opportunity for tourism in this area. In anticipation of the video from yesterday's party at sea, we bring you a photo report taken from the regatta boat.

On the Old Year Regatta, in the J70 sports competitions class, seven of the most famous local sailors competed on YC Porto Montenegro sailing boats. With the north-eastern wind of up to 20 knots, Judge Aleksandar Filipovic gave four laps for this class, and the most successful in general placement was the team of young YC Delfin’s hope, Ilija Marković. 

The second in the J70 class were sailors led by the most successful Delfin’s competitor Igor Les, who recently completed his sports career.  The third place took Kotor’s sailors led by Mirko Franovic.

The bidding on the sea lasted for two hours in front of numerous spectators who watched the regatta from the Pine promenade. However, sailors made sure that after the end of the competition the spectacle lasted for a while. Along with music from ships and signal flares, in the company of several boats, all 13 sailboats participated in a parade that caused the ovations of citizens and guests who gathered on the waterfront.