The updated Spatial Plan includes recommendations for lower-level plans to allocate areas for the development of new concrete or sandy beaches, as well as the enhancement and filling of existing ones. This is due to the fact that the number of beds along the coast is nearly double that of the standard beach space available per bather.

Data from the Sector Study for Tourism indicates that the maximum capacity for sea beaches in Montenegro is estimated to accommodate between 160,000 to 270,000 visitors simultaneously. This figure falls significantly short of the projected accommodation capacity of around 480,000 beds by 2030. An analysis shows that when the overall beach area is divided by the total number of beds, it amounts to just five square meters per bather (two by two and a half meters), with the Big Beach skewing this average. Notably, certain beaches, particularly those enhanced by nearby private accommodations, offer a mere 1.2 square meters per bather (approximately one and a half meters by 80 centimeters).

Create New Beaches Where Demand Exists

The Spatial Plan facilitates the establishment of new bathing zones, particularly in high-demand areas. It also allows for the temporary installation of appropriately designed low-floating platforms in such zones. Future bathing areas and beach components will be outlined in more detailed planning documents for the inland coastal zone, prepared by the Public Enterprise responsible for coastal zone management.

Furthermore, the plan authors advocate for restricting the development of new residential buildings and private apartments on the beaches, suggesting that remaining land should be allocated for the construction of luxury hotels that provide greater public benefits in comparison to private residences.

The primary goal of these guidelines is to “ensure carrying capacity during peak seasonal periods, thereby maintaining a high quality of experience for visitors.” It is noted that beaches require additional services and access points to enhance the visitor experience and market segmentation beyond mere spatial planning.

Filling and Concreting Leading to Damage

The Strategic Environmental Assessment Report asserts that without strict limitations on new construction, filling, and expansion of existing facilities, significant degradation of the coast is inevitable. The Environmental Protection Agency has mandated the Ministry of Spatial Planning to incorporate the Report’s comments, particularly regarding beach areas.

The proposed part of the Plan concerning the use of sea surfaces discusses further coastal development aimed at improving the quantity and quality of bathing areas. However, in light of existing pressures on the marine environment and coastal regions, it raises doubts about the wisdom of planning more constructions that could harm coastal zones. Emphasis should be placed on improving current urban areas, which may lead to further coastal degradation.

5-Star Hotels May Fail to Meet Standards

The report highlights overcrowding on beaches during July and August, with visitor numbers reaching half a million.

Moreover, the strategic environmental impact assessment for the Special Purpose Spatial Plan for the Coastal Area has indicated conflicts due to the sizing of tourist facilities in beach zones already at capacity. New facilities may not be eligible for 4 or 5-star ratings because they cannot provide the necessary space per bather.

Is There Enough Beach Space Per Guest?

According to Monstat data from 2016, there were 158,192 registered tourist beds in coastal areas, with a population of 148,683 in coastal municipalities and a planned increase of 104,477 beds.

Considering that summer months also attract guests with private accommodations and ‘day bathers’, it’s estimated that over 400,000 individuals could occupy the beaches. The Special Purpose Spatial Plan indicates that total beach area measures 1,615 square meters, translating to less than 700 square meters per bather. Special standards for certain beaches mean that available area is even less, highlighting that in specific locations, it may be impossible to achieve a standard higher than 5 square meters per bather.

Filling and Concreting in Boka Bay Causes Specific Damages

Further growth in tourism, including an increase in bathing areas and nautical tourism, conflicts directly with the need to protect marine environments and coastal areas, as required by the EU.

Continued urbanization, filling, and concreting of beaches in Boka Kotorska threaten the quality of the tourism experience due to visibly overcrowded and degraded areas. Given the pressures on the sensitive marine environment of Boka Kotorska Bay, the viability of expanding nautical tourism, particularly from cruise ships, is in question.

Protect National Parks from Excessive Visitor Numbers

The report emphasizes that mass tourism development in other protected regions is causing damage and diminishing their appeal.

National parks attract tourism and are increasingly favored for active vacations in nature. While this surge in visitors boosts economic income, it also leads to environmental pressures that may result in severe degradation. It’s vital that planning for tourism in protected zones includes a thorough analysis of environmental stresses based on reliable data, potentially leading to a cap on visitor numbers at specific times.

The need for stringent limits on construction and urbanization within protected areas has been highlighted.

Tourism development in these sensitive areas risks further urbanization and the establishment of tourist facilities which could compromise the natural environment’s regenerative capabilities. Therefore, additional education on sustainable tourism practices is essential, alongside strict enforcement of the Law on Nature Protection and the Law on National Parks, as per the Strategic Environmental Assessment Report.

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