The Utility company Tivat will generate an income of a total 2,671,900 euros this year, which is almost five percent more than the total revenues of that municipal company in 2018.

As stated in the Financial and Work Plan of the Utility Office for 2019, this company will receive EUR 734,000 from the municipal budget.

The utility revenues are planned to amount to 1,939,500 euros, of which the most 1.4 million euros, is the revenue from the collection of rubbish collection services for citizens and the business entities. As far as expenditure is concerned, the Utility company expects to spend a total of 2,666,050 euros by the end of the year, of which 1,698,800 euros will be spent on earnings of permanent and seasonal workers.

Material business costs will amount to EUR 905,250, of which the largest item is the costs of a garbage dump to the landfill and transport to the landfill site at Mozura near Ulcinj or Cetinje. A total of 275,000 euros will be spent for such purpose this year, over 30,000 euros more than the last year.

Parking Service Tivat (PST), which operates in public parking lots in the city center and at the airport, plans to reach a total of 718,000 euros income this year.

The total expected PST costs would amount to 689,729 euros, which means that it is expected to receive an income of EUR 28,000.

PST has already transferred an income of over 70,000 euros from last year, and as previously announced by the management of this company, most of this money will be used for investments in further improvement of the main activity of the Parking Service.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on February 5th 2019, read more at Vijesti

The Rotary club Kotor will organize a big "Masquerade Humanitarian Ball" to collect money for the procurement of new diagnostic equipment for Tivat Health Center. Rotarians from Tivat, Kotor and Herceg Novi gathered in RC Kotor to set themselves the goal of collecting the money for the purchase of a new colposcopy device for Tivat public health institution, and for this, a thoughtful and imaginative way of collecting the funds has been designed.

In the spirit of the traditional Boka Bay Carnival Festivals held in February, RC Kotor will host the event at the Business center "Vukšič" in Radanovići on February 16th. The last organizational details by the members of RC Kotor, chaired by the captain Rajko Čavor, were agreed at their regular weekly meeting in Tivat last night, and a rich entertaining program and lottery are being arranged.

Ball scheduled for February 16^th

The ticket price for the ball with a festive dinner, for which is mandatory for the visitors to wear a mask, can be bought on the spot for 30 euros.

All the funds collected from the tickets sold masks and donations made that evening will be paid to the Tivat Health Center for the procurement of a colposcopy device - a diagnostic appliance used primarily for gynaecological examinations.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on January 31st 2019, read more at Vijesti

January 29, 2019 - Real estate in Montenegro is booming once more. After the halcyon days of 2004 when foreign investors poured into the country, the real estate market is once more buoyant. Signature developments such as Lustica Bay, Porto Montenegro and Portonovi have brought real 5-star class to the Montenegrin property scene. 

And it is not just these major luxury developments where people are buying. Renovated stone villas, more modest apartments with sea views, and land. Total Montenegro News has decided to take a much closer look at the real estate scene here in 2019, and we are delighted to announce a new partnership with RE/MAX, one of the biggest names in global real estate.  

RE/MAX recently entered the local market and has already made a big impact with a mouthwatering property portfolio. As part of the 2019 TMN coverage this year, we will be doing various in-depth features on the current real estate market, as well as a weekly Property of the Week from the Remax catalogue.

Perhaps fittingly, we start in Tivat, a small town which has seen an explosion in investment and building in recent years. Superbly located just a few minutes away from Kotor, Lustica Bay and its very own Porto Montenegro, the huge rise in passenger flights to Tivat Airport has made properties here accessible as never before - all year round. 

Meet the first Property of the Week, where traditional Montenegrin stone meets high-quality luxury renovation with all the mod cons. A superb blend of tradition and comfort just 10 minutes walk from Porto Montenegro.

In the words of the RE/MAX catalogue:

One of a kind, professionally designed and updated old stone character property with terraced outdoor living areas and two off-street parking spaces. 10 minutes walk to Porto Montenegro. Three full bathrooms and four bedrooms on three floors with a total gross of 201 m2 (2,163 sq. ft.) 167m2 net interior living space, on a 201m2 plot perfect for outdoor living.

Recently completed renovations include new high quality, secure and energy efficient exterior doors, windows, and shutters, as well as a new solid wood pergola on the first floor raised terrace. Security alarm system and cameras are also recent. Original exposed stone interior walls, wood beams and more recently installed rustic wood plank floors blend seamlessly with newly updated interior finishes that include areas of antiqued local stone, porcelain, solid wood architraves, interior doors, and fresh decoration. Recently completed renovations include new high quality, secure and energy efficient exterior doors, windows, and shutters, as well as a new solid wood pergola on the first floor raised terrace. Security alarm system and cameras are also recent. Original exposed stone interior walls, wood beams and more recently installed rustic wood plank floors blend seamlessly with newly updated interior finishes that include areas of antiqued local stone, porcelain, solid wood architraves, interior doors, and fresh decoration. 

This family home with optional top quality designer imported Italian furnishing and lighting, boasts a large open plan main living area, fully fitted kitchen, up to western standards, and new high-quality appliances. French doors open onto an outdoor living area shaded by oleander, bay leaf, and orange trees. This family home with optional top quality designer imported Italian furnishing and lighting, boasts a large open plan main living area, fully fitted kitchen, up to western standards, and new high-quality appliances. French doors open onto an outdoor living area shaded by oleander, bay leaf, and orange trees.

All bedrooms have connecting bathrooms. The large master bedroom loft featuring a deluxe five-piece en-suite and private sitting area being the most luxurious suite them all.

Price 475,000 euro.

For more information, photos and to book a viewing, check out this exceptionally renovated stone villa on the RE/MAX website. 

January 28, 2018 - The famous Verona-Bizanti palace stands on the very seashore at the locality of Racica in Tivat. It belonged to the family Bizanti of Kotor. At the beginning of the 18th century, Villa Verona, together with all the possessions of the Bizanti family in Tivat, passed into the hands of the Verona family from Prcanj.

27 January 2019 - Construction of the second phase of the new MR1 access road to the tourist complex Luštica Bay in Krtoli near Tivat will be completed at least two months before the deadline.

The significant progress on the construction of the access road was announced during the tour of this section by the Mayor of Tivat Siniša Kusovac and the executive director of the construction company Bemax Veselin Kovačević. The construction works value was estimated to be 2.968.722 EUR. The route of the second phase of the MR1 access road, located from Đuraševići to Solila is 2,2 kilometres long. In addition to the two traffic lanes with green safety islands, infrastructure, and lighting, the construction works will include a bicycle and walking trail as well.

"We can only express satisfaction with the pace, quality and the progress in relations to the construction works performed. The contract stipulates a deadline of nine months, which end by the beginning of October. Still, with the present dynamics, I am sure that the works will be completed by June or July, at least two months before the deadline. The Municipality of Tivat is very satisfied with this business relationship and the responsibility the Company Bemax has shown in this project. I only want the contractor to continue the work with this degree of determination and to finish the works before the deadline," said Mayor Kusovac after visiting the construction site.

He underlined that the Municipality, as an investor, has excellent cooperation with the contractor and supervisor on this project and that Bemax has proved to be one of the best and most serious contractors of construction works they have done so far.

By completing the second phase of the MR1 road and connecting it with the first phase that was completed in June last year, Tivat gets a modern roadway with a total value of 5,7 million EUR. The merging of the second and the first phase, which will lead to the completion of the MR1 access road, will significantly address the issue of traffic connections throughout the Luštica peninsula.

Source: Boka News

25 January 2019 - Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro has recently claimed the Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award at the Conventa 2019 in Slovenia.

The 11^th Conventa (2019), an international conference dedicated to the future of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and travel marketing, took place on the 23 and 24 of January at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Conventa has become the leading marketplace for the meeting industry of South East and New Europe. The trade show facilitates personal contacts between an international hosted buyer community and the wide choice of meetings supplier businesses from South East Europe.

This year, the conference included more than 400 people holding more than 3300 meetings! Exhibitors came from 15 different countries, while hosted buyers from 44. The meetings were held in Marmorna Hall of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Every year, Conventa rewards extraordinary achievements in the “meetings industry”. Thus, aside from the meetings, Conventa 2019 included the Meetings Star Award Ceremony, where the winners and finalists among the best meeting destinations, hotels, and convention centres were announced. Since its inception, the Meetings Star Award has become known among the circle of event organisers and in the profession as one of the few that is awarded by established standards and criteria. Kongress magazine and Conventa confers the awards for the best congress destinations, hotels, congress centres and events in New Europe.

The Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award went to Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel in Tivat. The Regent Porto Montenegro was awarded by the jury that visited the hotel in 2018 without prior notice.

In the overall score system, the Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro was awarded a rating of 4,96 out of 5 points. The sales director of the hotel Regent Porto Montenegro, Ivan Gajić, received the award on behalf of the hotel.

Regent Porto Montenegro is a beautiful luxury hotel with personal service on the waterfront of the UNESCO protected Bay of Kotor in the heart of Porto Montenegro Village, the glittering residential and glamorous superyacht homeport. The hotel offers a superb choice of event venues. The 250 square meters of function facilities are ideal for events ranging from intimate private dinners to business conferences and weddings. The professional team of the hotel dedicates its attention to every single detail offering impeccable service according to the customers’ needs. Providing a perfect meeting spot with special conference packages prepared in advance, full conference and banqueting equipment and sophisticated luxury setting, Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro has proudly claimed its Best Conference and Meeting Resort Hotel Award.

Today it’s easy to advertise a restaurant with all kinds of available marketing tools i.e., social networks, internet platforms, billboards, and more. But I think the most qualitative publicity is when a local tells you where to get a tasty and proper meal at reasonable prices.

In Tivat, depending on your tastes, of course, there are a lot of restaurants offering various national and foreign cuisines.

Therefore, for example, if you are a fan of sushi and Asian cuisine the restaurant “Mitsu” in Porto Montenegro is the right place for you (https://www.facebook.com/mitsurestaurant/ .

Just opposite “Mitsu”, there is the Lebanese restaurant “Byblos” (https://byblos.me/porto-montenegro/) which is very busy in the summer not only because of the food, but it also organizes thematic evenings with attractive belly dancers shows.

Next to “Byblos”, you will find one of the first restaurants opened in Porto Montenegro “Al Posto Giusto” (https://www.portomontenegro.com/en/restaurants-cafes/al-posto-giusto/ ) which offers mostly Italian food such as pizza, pasta, risotto, fish etc. This restaurant is also popular on the weekends when there is always a D.J. or live bands which you can dance to by drinking tasty cocktails.

In Seljanovo, on the seaside, there is the famous restaurant “Big Ben” (http://www.bigbentivat.com/index.html) which used to be a café with only 30 tables when it first opened around 25 years ago and now it has 200, both on the ground and the upper terrace which is open only in the summer.  Here you can eat very tasty food varying from Montenegrin, Italian, Mediterranean dishes and also sweets at very reasonable prices. This restaurant does not have delivery, but you can call them, and they will prepare the food and get it ready for you to pick up at the bar.

“Bevanda” is a recently opened restaurant next to the hotel “La Roche”. Here you can watch the chef doing his magic in preparing pizza which is also visible to the guests and creates a cozy ambience. There are also promotional prices for certain meals depending on the day, so you should follow their Facebook or Instagram page to get updates (https://www.facebook.com/bevandapizzeria/ ). This restaurant is also popular with the locals because it organizes “Karaoke nights” (Thursdays) and “Kafanska noc” (Fridays), but be aware because the times can be altered, and it is difficult to find a free table on these nights.

Restaurant “Volat” (http://volattivat.com/) is located at the beginning of the little marina Kalimanj and with its nice ambiance offers a variety of Mediterranean meals and also cakes. In the summer it offers a great view on the marina from the terrace on the third floor. There is usually live music on Saturdays.

A little bit further going towards the marina, there is the fish restaurant “Mala Barka” (https://www.facebook.com/konobamalabarka/). So, if you are a fish lover, you cannot skip visiting this place in Tivat.

Now, we will present you the restaurants doing food deliveries, which is very practical. Therefore, there are a number of them you can choose from.

Konoba “Bakina Kuhinja” (“Grandmother’s Kitchen) is located in Seljanovo, turning right from the main road on the corner from the “Aroma” market. They can deliver you daily homemade meals at very reasonable prices (4-5 euros). Also, if you need a catering company for any kind of event, they will prepare the perfects canapés, finger food, fruits and alike. More info on Instagram profile

https://instagram.com/konoba.bakina.kuhinja?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1g9hjluq9r9e

“Bacchus” is also a typical restaurant-konoba which also has daily homemade meals, but also a great offer of fish and barbeque. It is located at the corner near the former bus station in the town’s center (https://www.facebook.com/Konoba-Bacchus-439611812790041/ ).  

Restaurant “Sidro” in Kalimanj is famous for its barbeque specialties which you can easily order and get it delivered to your home (https://www.facebook.com/grillsidro/ )

At the main square Magnolija, there is “Recoleta” (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Recoleta-Tivat/753089671540984 ), which offers great food at convenient prices and also does the delivery.

If you want to order a family or regular size pizza, pasta, sandwiches or alike, you can call “KLM” ( http://www.klmtivat.com/) or “City hall” (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Bar-City-Hall-Tivat/205499169496550 ), both located in the center of Tivat.

These are most of the restaurants in Tivat. Even though we couldn’t cover them all and in so much detail, we hope to have helped you with an idea of where to eat next while staying in our nice little town.

January 8, 2019 - The Municipality of Tivat will publish a public call at least once a year for funding projects for the valorization of cultural heritage in the area of the city. These projects will be financed from part of the money collected from the tourists on the basis of the sojourn tax.

According to the law, 10% of the means of collecting the sojourn tax is dedicated to "projects of valorization of cultural heritage, relating to archaeological research, conservation and restoration works, reconstruction and promotion of cultural goods."

Therefore, starting this year, the Municipality of Tivat will publish a public call for funding projects for the valorization of cultural heritage in the area of Tivat after the adoption of the regular annual Financial Report of the Tourism Organization.

"Cultural tourism represents an important component of the tourist offer, and in this regard, it is necessary to pay special attention to the valorization of cultural heritage. The Act on the Protection of Cultural Property regulates the types and categories of cultural goods, the ways of defining the protection, the regime and the protection measures, the rights, and obligations of the owners and holders of cultural goods as well as other issues of importance and preservation of cultural goods. The promotion of the cultural heritage of Montenegro, according to the national development program, is carried out in the context of sustainable development and, among other things, its promotion for investments is necessary to revitalize and preserve it," stated the Municipality, adding that the Law on Residence Taxing offers the possibility of establishing a special fund for the valorization of cultural heritage, in the amount of 10 percent of the collected funds and fees.

Tivat’s local authority also appointed a special commission for the selection of cultural heritage valorization projects, made by Secretary of the Municipal Secretariat for Cultural and Social Affairs, Mr. Dubravka Nikčevič, Director of TO Tivat Gabrijela Glavocic and Director of the Museum and Gallery Tivat Jelena Bujišić.

A record of allocation and spending of resources for cultural heritage valorization projects will be conducted by the Tourist Organization Tivat and reported to the National Tourist Organization quarterly, and the Tivat Municipal Assembly once a year.

TO Tivat received over EUR 300,000 in revenue from the tourist tax-paying fee in 2017, which means that some 30,000 euros would be allocated annually for projects of valorization of cultural heritage.

05 January 2019 - Spouses from the Netherlands found a message in a bottle that was sent by the Literary section of the Tivat primary school.

A lot of parents encourage their children to write and send messages with happy wishes to friends and family for their child to connect with people around them. Sometimes, though, we just want to write a message without a specific recipient and let the message find their way to a certain someone. That’s when we awaken our imagination and write a message, put it in a bottle and let it sail away. An even greater wish for numerous children and even adults is to find a message in a bottle. This is a true story about the message in a bottle from Tivat that reached the Netherlands!

On January 5, Katica Čavor, a professor of Montenegrin language at the Primary School "Drago Milović" from Tivat, received an unusual e-mail from an unknown address – a husband and wife from the Netherlands, as reported by the news agency Boka News.

As Ms Čavor explained, the content of the mail referred to the recent event in which spouses from the Netherlands found a message in a bottle that was sent by the Literary section "Good morning, sea" of the primary school in Tivat. A while ago, within the activities of the literary section, the students wrote messages about peace, love and friendship, and put those wishes into decorated bottles which were deployed from the boat "Vodena kočija" at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor near the Mamula Island.

Charlotte and Pedro Elfos, who live in the Netherlands, found the message in a bottle. This message contained beautiful wishes and an e-mail address, in case someone wanted to send a reply. The couple was surprised and quickly sent an e-mail explaining that on October 19, while they were sailing through the southern Adriatic, they found one of the bottles that the students wrote and posted.

“To find your letter at that exact moment in the southern Adriatic was an unexpected and perfect gift for us. A few days before we found the message, we got married in Portugal, and we just went on a honeymoon to Croatia! Your wonderful message meant a lot to us, and it was just magical to find something in the sea like this and read such beautiful messages and wishes," the spouses from the Netherlands wrote, wishing Professor Čavor and her students a happy New Year's holiday.

January 6, 2019 - Last year, Tivat Airport finished with a turnover of 1.245.999 passengers, which is 10.3% better than in 2017, which was a record year in the operation of this airport. Executive Director of Tivat Airport, Rade Marić, told “Vijesti” that last year in Tivat, a total of 623,543 passengers arrived, while 622,456 people left it. A total of 6,616 aircraft landed and a total of 13,631 take-off and landing operations were carried out on the airstrip of the aircraft, that is, on the runway along Tivat bay. The number of operations completed in 2018 is 7.3 percent higher than a year earlier.

Tivat Airport has been intensively preparing for the upcoming summer tourist and IATA flying season starting on March 31^st, which will be characterized by an additional increase in the number of airlines that operate with this airport, as well as the opening of several new destinations that will fly from Tivat. The particularity of the upcoming season is that at Tivat airport next to the regular companies that fly in the season, several new national airline companies will appear that will open their lines for Tivat. Thus, from April 13^th, German Lufthansa will fly twice a week to Tivat, on Saturdays from Munich, and on Sundays from Frankfurt. Seasonal flights from London to Tivat have also been announced by the British national airline British Airways.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on January 4th 2018, read more at Vijesti