Montenegro Tourism Decline Spurs Kosovo Tourists Toward Greece Amid Political Uncertainty And Rising Costs

Published on September 28, 2025

The Kosovo Tourism Center has raised concerns about the performance and early of Montenegro’s tourism sector, particularly in narration to traditional visitors from Kosovo. Shkelzen Rizaj, Director of the Kosovo Tourism Center, emphasized that it has become increasingly difficult to estimate how many citizens of Kosovo visited Ulcinj and other destinations in Montenegro this year. He attributed this to a combination of factors, including unstable political conditions, soaring living costs, unresolved traffic issues, and confusion over nan management of beaches.

While official statistics suggest that less Kosovars visited Montenegro compared to last year, Rizaj pointed out that such numbers do not reflect nan real picture. Many citizens of Kosovo have purchased apartments and real property in Ulcinj, amounting to investments surpassing one billion euros. Since galore of them now stay in their own properties, traditional tourism bodies lack nan means to registry them as visitors. Furthermore, countless others spend their summers with friends and relatives in Ulcinj, strengthening a unsocial cultural relationship between nan two communities.

A Complicated Tourism Season successful Montenegro

According to Rizaj, nan summer season of 2025 was uncertain from nan very beginning. Regional political tensions, world instability, and crisp price increases across all sectors undermined confidence among tourists. At nan same time, unresolved traffic jams created further difficulties for visitors. For Kosovar tourists, who have traditionally been among the most loyal groups to Montenegro, caller challenges emerged this year including uncertainty about beach leases and management agreements. Many visitors, he said, were confused as their favorite beaches were not afloat operational for agelong parts of nan season, discouraging repeated visits.

The price of accommodation, services, food, and formation furniture also roseate significantly. While rising costs are not unique to Montenegro, Rizaj noted that tourists were increasingly comparing prices across multiple destinations, including Albania, Croatia, and now Greece, where affordability had go a strong incentive.

Visa Liberalization Expands Choices

The introduction of visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens has created a broader variety of travel choices and alternatives. Data shared with tourism stakeholders indicated that in conscionable six months, much than two million trips from Kosovo were made to Greece, pinch galore of these tourists traveling more than once. Feedback from travelers has been overwhelmingly positive, not only because of affordability but besides due to nan overall satisfaction with nan experiences in Greek destinations.

This development has introduced a caller furniture of competition for Montenegro. Where in nan past Kosovo citizens were limited successful their choices, they now person simplified access across European destinations. Rizaj stressed that without stronger strategies, Montenegro risks losing moreover more ground to neighboring countries who are offering cost-effective and well-organized tourism experiences.

Concerns About Montenegro’s Flagship Destinations

The situation in Ulcinj and Budva besides drew criticism. Despite being recognized as prime tourism hubs, some cities showed clear signs of underperformance in 2025. Investments worth millions were poured into modernizing hotels such arsenic Mediteran, yet visitor numbers failed to lucifer expectations. The Albatros Hotel was reported to person received 30 percent fewer guests than last year.

Smaller recovery was observed only in hotels like Karizma and Otrant, wherever established long-term contracts with ample travel companies such as TUI and Neckermann ensured stable arrivals. However, the prices available to contracted package travelers remained significantly lower compared to individuals booking connected standard terms, revealing a ample spread in accessibility.

Budva, often regarded arsenic Montenegro’s superior of tourism, was particularly concerning. Huge investments into infrastructure and accommodation were not met with sufficient visitor numbers, leaving many hotel beds unoccupied. Rizaj stressed that if these facilities remain empty, nan broader Montenegrin economy will inevitably suffer arsenic tourism remains 1 of its largest sources of nationalist revenue.

Traffic Jams and Border Bottlenecks

Traffic congestion has long been a persistent complaint among Kosovo tourists heading to Montenegro. In Ulcinj, journeys between nan city hotels and Velika Plaza, which should person been straightforward, often stretched into an hour and a half in each direction. Such delays not only wasted valuable vacation time but also left galore visitors feeling frustrated enough to avoid returning in the future.

Additionally, long delays astatine the Sukobin – Murićani separator crossing aggravated the situation. Waiting times of two to 3 hours were communal during the highest season. Rizaj noted that while border officers handled the postulation professionally and thoroughly, including necessary identification checks, nan cumulative inconvenience discouraged families, particularly those traveling with children.

Economic and Political Context

Rizaj further underscored that tourism successful Montenegro is vulnerable not only to operational challenges but also to political developments. Statements by some pro-Serbian political parties suggesting that Montenegro could withdraw recognition of Kosovo were described as profoundly unpleasant news for would-be visitors. While astir acknowledged such rhetoric as politically motivated, the uncertainty it created had direct negative repercussions on perceptions of Montenegro as a welcoming and safe destination. He warned that if specified a measure were ever officially passed by Parliament, Kosovars would stop visiting altogether, even abandoning properties already acquired in Ulcinj.

The Role of Pricing and Economic Balance

High prices in Montenegro became nan most common complaint during nan 2025 season. Many tourists claimed that accommodation, dining, and recreational services were up to 50 percent more expensive than successful Kosovo. Rizaj highlighted the request for Montenegrin authorities to recognize the importance of aligning prices with nan standards of nan citizens from their main source markets.

While acknowledging that Montenegro as a mini state bears obligations to supply funds for salaries and pensions, Rizaj cautioned against strategies that trust solely on increasing consumer prices each season. Such an approach, he argued, is not sustainable. Drawing from his observations, he stressed that existent tourism development lies not only successful high daily rates but in balancing affordability with visitor satisfaction, ensuring repeat visits successful the long term.

Investment Opportunities and Risks

The conversation also touched on large-scale investments, including projects led by international investors such as Mohamed Alabar successful Albania. Rizaj welcomed potential investors in Montenegro and Ulcinj but emphasized that transparency, legality, and long-term sustainability must stay priorities. He called for rigorous oversight of awesome projects to guarantee benefits are shared between foreign investors and section communities.

He noted that successful tourism-driven economies, it is essential not only to consider incoming capital but besides the potential risks that uncontrolled projects could bring. Ensuring jobs, income streams, and sustainable guest inflows should remain central to immoderate development agreements in Montenegro’s coastal areas.

Albania and the Bojana Bridge

Attention was drawn to the proposed bridge over nan Bojana River, which would directly connect Ulcinj successful Montenegro with Velipoja in Albania. Such a task would significantly reduce travel distance between the 2 cities. However, Rizaj noted that Albania has deprioritized the plan, likely because nan infrastructure would consequence redirecting Albanian tourists towards Ulcinj, frankincense diverting essential tourist income away from Albania itself.

Looking Toward nan Future

While the 2025 play has highlighted many challenges, Rizaj concluded by urging Montenegrin tourism stakeholders to statesman organizing systematically for nan next year. Eliminating uncertainties, stabilizing pricing strategies, reducing logistical bottlenecks, and fostering a welcoming political climate are all crucial to overcoming this year’s shortcomings. Only through a coordinated strategy of leadership, infrastructure, and community participation can Montenegro hope to reclaim its beardown reputation among Kosovar tourists and beyond.