29 November 2018 - The 14th Annual Awards Ceremony "Wild Beauty Award 2018", organized by the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, was recently held at the "Government House" in Cetinje. This Ceremony’s primary purpose is to grant awards for individuals and organizations for their excellent work and outstanding contribution to improving the quality of the tourist offer of Montenegro.

Bearing in mind the proposals of the Awards Commission whose members include representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, the media and the tourism industry, as well as the suggestions of local tourist organizations and the interested public gathered through the online questionnaire, the decision on the categories and the winners was brought by the Official Jury for Wild Beauty Award 2018.

On this occasion, a total of 5 awards and four official acknowledgment letters were granted to individuals and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the improvement of the quality of tourist offer in 2018.

At the 2018 Awards, the “Hotel of the Year Award” went to Chedi Hotel Luštica Bay, while the “Destination of the Year Award” was given to Porto Montenegro. The “Restaurant of the Year Award” was given to the representatives of "Murano Restaurant" Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro, while "KotorArt festival" claimed the “Event of the Year Award.” The WBA 2018 also awarded the “Tiny Sand Budva” with the “Best Beach of the 2018 Season”.

The WBA organizers also gave official acknowledgment letters to Porto Montenegro as an Event Destination, "Household Kljajić" Berane for their contribution to the development of agriculture, “HG Budva Riviera” for implementation of standards in hotel industry and "HG Casa del Mare" Herceg Novi as a positive example of domestic hotel management brand.

As announced by the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro, the Award Ceremony was attended by Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović, Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Pavle Radulović, Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanović, Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro Radoje Žugić, Mayor of the Old Royal Capital Aleksandar Kašćelan and numerous officials from the tourism sector, cultural and public life.

The National Award "Wild Beauty Award" was established in 2005 to show recognition to tourism organizations and individuals for their work and contribution to the development of tourism in Montenegro, as well as to improve the quality, promotion and the creation of new values for tourists.

29 November 2018 - As announced from the exclusive marina and yachting paradise in the Mediterranean, the Porto Montenegro team will present the project of Tivat marina for “superyachts” and luxury nautical settlement at the Investment Immigration and Luxury Real Estate Fair in Moscow.

Porto Montenegro’s increased popularity has significantly affected Montenegrin tourism, but the owners of the marina still strive for additional worldwide acknowledgment. Forbes Magazine recently described the luxurious settlement as “the ultimate superyacht sanctuary along the Adriatic coast”. Even Dailymail has announced that “Monte Carlo should move over and make way for Porto Montenegro – the new hotspot for the European smart set”. One could conclude that this small city that features a nautical village, pool complex, yacht club, numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and boutiques has many incentives to make a presentation at the Investment Immigration and Luxury Real Estate Fair in Moscow.

As the PR Office of Porto Montenegro reported, this presentation represents a strategically good activity for Montenegro, given that it might just be an introduction to the Citizenship by Investment Program, which will be organized next year. "Montenegro has a favourable economic framework for investors, first of all in terms of tax rates, as well as in terms of the most significant natural resource – beauty of nature, then the nautical history and potentials for the development of luxury yachting industry and tourism products. This kind of convenience is an important incentive for the owners of ships and yachts, who choose the marina and the settlement of Porto Montenegro as a destination for the purchase of real estate," said Senior Marketing and PR Manager Porto Montenegro, Danilo Kalezić.

The Moscow International Emigration & Luxury Property Expo, a large-scale conference and exhibition dedicated to immigration and high-end real estate, will be held 29-30 November 2018 at The Ritz-Carlton in Moscow. The event will include a discussion featuring government representatives, leaders of the world’s most prominent immigration companies, and significant property developers as well as an exhibition showcasing over 30 international companies.

The expo will combine two events: on the first day, there will be the Investment Immigration and Luxury Real Estate international conference, panel discussions and a press conference. On the second day, the agenda will include an exhibition, workshops, individual appointments, and network opportunities. Visitors will consist of private individuals interested in immigration, acquisition of upscale real estate and personal financial consulting services, as well as international entrepreneurs, home buyers, and prospective immigrants.

28 November 2018 - Minister of Science of Montenegro Sanja Damjanović participates at the Ministerial Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Nuclear Science and Technology: "Response to Current and Future Development Challenges" in Vienna on 28 and 29 November 2018. 

As part of the plenary session, the Minister of Science addressed the delegates of the Conference from the member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and presented the system of science and research in Montenegro with a focus on current ongoing and development projects implemented by the Ministry of Science, and in particular the regional project Initiative to establish the South East European International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST), whose 4th Steering Committee meeting was held on 27 November 2018 at the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna. 

"Montenegro has significantly benefited from the fruitful cooperation with the IAEA. We approach this cooperation from the standpoint of ensuring safety and security and facilitating sustainable economic and environmental development for the benefit of our citizens. Close collaboration with the IAEA has an added value for Montenegro since it helps us to fulfill requirements stemming from the ongoing EU accession process. I will concentrate on the following only on matters of particular interest to Montenegro," said Damjanović.

The Minister particularly emphasised the cooperation of Montenegro with the International Atomic Energy Agency, both in the area of technical cooperation and implementation of projects in which valuable equipment is purchased.

"I would like to express my deep gratitude to the IAEA for having provided already its support for Capacity Building, and to the European Commission for providing first direct financial support to start the Design Study Phase of the project. I also owe great thanks to the international research institutions CERN and FAIR-GSI for their readiness to host the Working Groups associated with the Design Study Phase until the site of the project is selected. With this project, I have addressed you today also in my capacity as the Chairperson of the SEEIIST Intergovernmental Steering Committee," concluded Damjanović.

The International Atomic Energy Agency Ministerial Conference is a forum with over 1,000 registered participants. Addresses were delivered by the heads of delegations from 64 countries, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of France, Switzerland, Germany, and others. The conference was followed by panels, and the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration is also foreseen. 

28 November 2018 - Montenegro sees European integration as an opportunity to secure the safety and quality of life of its citizens through an active contribution to a major project of peace and prosperity on the entire European continent, Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin said at a meeting with President of the National Council of Austria Wolfgang Sobotka in Podgorica on November 28.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that an adequate evaluation of the reform results of Montenegro is an opportunity for both the European Union and the member states to affirm, on the example of Montenegro, the concrete effects of European policy in the Western Balkans.

In that regard, he thanked Sobotka on the continued political support of the top Austrian officials for Montenegro's EU bid, hopeful that during the Austrian presidency of the EU Council, negotiations in Chapter 27 on environmental protection will be opened.

He also said he is hopeful that the evident progress that Montenegro will achieve in the field of the rule of law will soon result in the obtaining of concrete conditions, the so-called benchmarks, to close the negotiations in chapters 23 and 24, as well as a more dynamic process of closing negotiations in other chapters.

President Sobotka congratulated Montenegro on its success in the process of European Integration, adding that Austria is interested in the entire region of the Western Balkans to start moving in the same way.

He said he is optimistic about negotiations in Chapter 27 to be opened during the Austrian presidency of the EU Council.

Emphasising the importance of economic cooperation with Montenegro, the Austrian official said that the value of Austrian investments per capita in Montenegro is higher than in other countries of the region.

28 November 2018 - Executive Director of the Joint-stock Company Airports of Montenegro, Danilo Orlandić, has recently met with the managing directors of the Laudamotion Airline, Andreas Gruber and Colin Casey, in Vienna. Since Laudamotion will establish the Stuttgart-Podgorica-Stuttgart line from April of next year, the details of this line have been considered, but the main topic of the meeting was the potential launching of additional routes from Montenegro.

During the meeting, Orlandić highlighted how it is a great pleasure for the Montenegro Airports to establish a relationship with a company like Laudamotion. He also mentioned the line to Stuttgart, assessing that the route will be hugely successful, given the growing interest in Montenegro from the German market. Significantly, the representatives of the two companies opened the topic of launching additional routes. Orlandić expressed his hope that they will complete these negotiations. “We agreed that we would meet again in Podgorica at the end of the year when I hope, we will deepen our cooperation," Orlandić said.

It is well known that the low-cost airline is looking to develop its destination map. During the meeting, Andreas Gruber explained that with the airline’s concept of prices that are in the service of passengers and an unbeatable price and quality ratio, Laudamotion manages to satisfy the needs of passengers. “We are looking forward to seeing our enhanced presence in Stuttgart during the summer of 2019. We are pleased that from now, on we can offer flights from Montenegro. Establishing a new line between Podgorica and Stuttgart, to be maintained by Laudamotion will significantly improve the connection between Montenegro and the German province Baden-Württemberg," he said.

Laudamotion, the No. 1 low-tariff airline in Austria, was founded in 2004 as a provider of charter flights for executive travel, serving European and international destinations. Years later, the company was taken over by Niki Lauda, former Austrian Formula One driver and a three-time F1 World Drivers' Champion. Europe’s largest budget carrier Ryanair bought 75,1 percent stake in Vienna-based Laudamotion in 2018.

From its headquarters in Vienna, Laudamotion is oriented to the fastest growing base in Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, and Palma. This Austrian airline operates flights to 50 destinations in 18 countries.

28 November 2018 - Public Company Parking Service Podgorica recently acquired three new parking meters, which will be set up in the city centre, allowing visitors to the area to pay for their parking with paper bills and coins. Drivers looking for on-street parking in downtown Podgorica will no longer have to send text messages to different numbers depending on parking zones, nor will they have to pay for parking on the newsstands.

According to the report by daily newspaper “Dan”, by the end of the year, the parking meters will be installed at the corner of Hercegovačka Street and Sloboda Street, at Bokeška Street and the third location is yet to be determined. These are the more up-to-date models of the parking meters for which the Parking Service paid about 6,000 EUR per piece.

"If the weather conditions are favourable, we will set up three parking meters by the end of the year. To install the equipment, it is necessary to have good weather conditions. Two locations are already determined, and for the third, we are still thinking. The third location will be Vučedolska Street or Vuk Karadžić Street, " said Nusret Canović, director of the Parking Service Company.

Canović also said that these models of parking meters are newer, and the installment of the devices will be convenient for the citizens of the Capital and visitors. "The new parking meters enable payment for all three zones that we have, and the machines can receive paper bills. These are the parking meters of the newer generation. We’re installing these devices, not only for the citizens of the Capital but also for people coming from abroad. Given that they will be operating in multiple languages, it will be much easier for visitors to pay for parking services. These parking meters will certainly improve our services," said Canović.

Coming to downtown Podgorica will now be a little more convenient, and that will be welcome news because many people don’t like to send text messages to pay for parking services, nor they enjoy searching for the nearest newspaper stand.

November 28, 2018 - International Multidisciplinary Scientific Symposium "Ancient Budva" and the accompanying documentary exhibition "The First Discovery of Antique Necropolises in Budva" organized by the Public Institution "Budva Museums and Galleries" started today in the Modern Gallery in the Old Town. The events took place on the occasion of two significant jubilees - 80 years after the discovery of the ancient necropolis and 15 years since the foundation of the Budva Museum.

What About Ancient Budva?

When digging the foundation for building the hotel "Avala" from 1936-1938, several graves from the Hellenistic and Roman period were discovered. Graves carried valuable goods - especially gold and silver jewelry, various vessels, glass, ceramics, and weapons. The research continued twenty years later, and most intensively after the earthquake in 1979. The necropolis has two parts, the older belonging to the Hellenistic period from the 4th to the 1st century BC, and the newer belonging to the Roman period, the 1st and 2nd century AD. With a total of 450 graves discovered, all the traces lead to the conclusion that the necropolis has been in use for more than a millennium.

Apart from the Museum of Budva, objects from the Budva necropolis, especially those found from 1936-1938 belong today to many other museums (Cetinje, Belgrade, Zagreb, Split) but also to private collections.

Ancient Budva brings together scientists from 8 countries

The organization of the international scientific symposium on the occasion of the anniversary of the great discovery was supported by the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro and the Municipality of Budva, and the partner of "Budva Museums and Galleries" in this project is the Budva Tourist Organization.

Aleksandar Bogdanović, Minister of Culture of Montenegro, opened the Symposium "Ancient Budva" and the exhibition "The First Discovery of the Necropolis in Budva." Academi Aleksandar Čilikov, in front of the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, addressed the participants at the beginning of the gathering. Mayor of Budva Dragan Krapović and Lucija Đurašković, director of "Museums and galleries of Budva" welcomed the guests thanking them for being a part of this important scientific meeting with the aim to support further activities to preserve and present the oldest parts of the town's cultural heritage. 

"Ancient Budva" is the first scientific meeting organized by the "Budva Museums and Galleries" in the European Year of Cultural Heritage. In Budva, reference lecturers coming from Australia, Italy, Austria, the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro will offer answers to numerous and diverse issues from the ancient past of Budva and the East Adriatic coast.

Ancient Budva Heritage to Read the Context of Hellenic and Roman Times on the Eastern Adriatic

The first day of the conference lasted for three sessions, where participants were able to learn about the antique Budva from the most renowned art historians, architects, and archeologists. Prof. Dr. Adnan Kaljanac spoke on the theme of "The legendary founding of Butua (Budva) and its influence on the appearance of Illyrian ethnos in the Mediterranean." Pprof. Dr. Lucijana Šešelj from the University of Zagreb spoke about Budva and Hellenism on the Adriatic. There were also opportunities for insights into Budva's material culture from the ancient period thanks to lectures by Dr. Milijana Dimitrijević on "Material Culture and Group Identities of Hellenistic Buddhist People" and Stefan Novakovic, who talked about the fortifying construction of Hellenistic Budva and other guild-like settlements on the Montenegrin coast.

The second session of the symposium was devoted to the methodology of research and presentation of the ancient Budva heritage as a cultural heritage. Katarina Jović spoke on the subject of "Ancient Budva Heritage as a Cultural Heritage: the Memory and the Forgiveness of the Ancient Budva Past." The period of antiquity in Budva also left traces of the nautical heritage, spoken by Mr. Gordana Karović, while Mr. Maja Franskovic, Dušan Maksimović, and Dunja Davidović spoke on the topic "Mosaic in a museum setting - the methodology of conservation on the example of an ancient mosaic from Budva." Dobrila Vlahović gave a lecture "Approach to the protection and preservation of cultural and historical values of antique Budva."

(Photo: Foto Bjelica)

The third session of the international symposium was reserved exclusively for the theme of ancient necropolises, discovered 80 years ago. The presentation by Dr. Miroslav Luketic was devoted to memories and records of the first discovery of 1938. Dušan Medin discussed the necropolis interpretations in the period after the invention, from 1938 to 1940, while Doc. Dr. Zorica Kuzmanović, Dr. Jelena Lj. Cvijetić and Mr. Lucija Đurašković talked about the social aspects of the rituals of the dead, the magic power of the graves with bronze bells, and the ways of burial of the deceased in the antique on the example of the Budva necropolis.

Three scientific sessions are planned for tomorrow, as well as a visit to the remains of ancient Budva and the Museum of Budva. The first session will focus on topics of importance for the interpretation of the findings of Hellenistic ceramics in Budva, and the second session deals with the artifacts of glassware and warfare equipment.

The last part of the scientific symposium stands for topics of importance for the evaluation and treatment of the archeological heritage of the broader area of the Montenegrin coast, as well as models of action aimed at better treatment of the oldest layers of cultural heritage.

The conference will end on Friday, 30 November, when participants will be able to meet the cultural heritage of the Old Town of Budva in the company of local guides.

This important project, which promotes the rich cultural and historical past of Budva as an ancient city, has been supported by numerous socially responsible companies and public companies from Budva (Dukley, Adriatic Fair, Zeta Film, Budva Water Supply and Sewerage, Mediterranean Advertising, Lovcen Film, Splendid Hotel, Budva Hotel , the hotel Grbalj, the Adriatic restaurant Kod Krsta and the Porto restaurant). On the occasion of the organization of the exhibition "The first discovery of the ancient necropolises in Budva", Budva's Museum established cooperation with the museums where archaeological artifacts discovered in Budva necropolises are preserved, including the National Museum (Serbia), Archaeological Museum in Zagreb (Croatia), Archaeological Museum in Split (Croatia) and Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.