More than 4.2 million Germans are keen on visiting Montenegro over the next three years, announced Ana Tripković Marković, the director of Montenegro’s National Tourism Organization (NTO), highlighting the substantial potential of the German market for Montenegrin tourism.
“Data from the ReiseAnalyse survey indicates this trend. It’s worth noting that these are visitors with above-average spending capabilities. Despite facing strong competition from other tourist destinations, Montenegro stands out due to the interest these tourists show in our destination itself, its nature, and culture,” Tripković Marković shared during a panel discussion and business workshop hosted by the NTO as part of the DRV fvw Destination Forum.
She added that nearly 60 percent of potential German tourists prefer to book package deals, a figure that surpasses the average and exceeds the preferences of tourists interested in destinations like Croatia and Greece.
“This presents an excellent opportunity for even closer collaboration with German tour operators, which is why we’ve organized this destination forum,” noted Tripković Marković.
The primary objective of the panel discussion and business workshop, according to the NTO, was to facilitate the exchange of experiences in tourism and foster networking between German tour operators, media, and Montenegro’s tourism industry. The event attracted over 60 representatives of key decision-makers in the German tourism sector, including tour operators and travel agencies.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stressed the significance of cooperation with Germany in the tourism sector. He emphasized Montenegro’s recent efforts to enhance its tourism offerings over the past seven months and accelerate the EU accession process, which will enhance its attractiveness as a destination for European tourists.
The event featured three panels focusing on various aspects of tourism. The first panel centered on sharing insights and experiences among tour operators, while the second panel addressed connectivity and included representatives from airlines. The third panel focused on gathering direct feedback from five tour operator groups that had toured Montenegro.
Panel participants included representatives from German tour operators such as Chamaleon Reisen, DERTouristik, and AER Manufaktur, as well as Lufthansa City Centre. Additionally, representatives from Montenegro’s Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, travel agency Gulliver Montenegro, Montenegro Airports, and national airline Air Montenegro participated.
During the panel discussions, German tour operators expressed satisfaction with the diversity of Montenegro’s destination offerings, including its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and adventurous activities available to visitors. They highlighted Montenegro’s hotel capacity and natural attractions as key factors in attracting German tourists.
Ulrike Katz, Vice President of the DRV, praised Montenegro’s diverse tourism offerings and the enthusiasm of forum participants in including Montenegro in their future tour programs.
“We had the opportunity to experience the destination through five different tours, exploring various regions such as the Bay of Kotor, Ulcinj, Cetinje, Durmitor National Park, and engaging in activities like rafting, biking, hiking, and horseback riding,” Katz remarked.
As part of the event, the NTO will organize a business workshop to facilitate networking between over 30 Montenegrin tourism industry representatives and German tour operators. This interactive session will enable Montenegrin entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services and highlight the unique attractions of the destination.
The DRV fvw Destination Forum, organized in collaboration with the German Travel Association (DRV) and fvw – a leading business magazine in Germany for the travel and tourism industry, provides an excellent platform to showcase Montenegro’s unique attractions, experiences, and innovations in its tourism offerings.
The NTO also announced that participants of the DRV fvw Destination Forum enjoyed a variety of tours across Montenegro’s regions, providing them with firsthand experiences of the country’s natural beauty and cultural landmarks, contributing to its promotion as a top tourist destination.
The event received support from strategic partners including Air Montenegro, Budva Riviera Hotel Group, and marketing partner One, as well as project partners such as Public Enterprise Morsko dobro, Voli Company, and travel agencies Montenegro Tourist Service, Gold travel, and Gulliver.
