According to Bojan Filipović, president of the Mojkovac Tourism Workers’ Association, construction workers have triumphed over tourism due to the ongoing situation in accommodation facilities along the Đurđevića Tara route.

The Mojkovac-Đurđevića Tara regional road, deemed “the lifeblood of tourism in northern Montenegro” by the interviewee for “Vijesti”, is closed for the entire summer due to rehabilitation works on Sokolovina. Local residents and tourism workers have tried to keep the road open during parts of the day, but their efforts have been in vain, prolonging the works that commenced in 2023.

“Camping areas and private lodgings along the Mojkovac segment of the road are nearly vacant. Last summer was poor for the same reasons, and we now have only about 10 percent of the visitors compared to that period. Naturally, we don’t expect an improvement for the rest of the season. Construction firms have ultimately outperformed tourism, and the road’s significance has been overlooked. It is already evident that this summer’s tourism season will be a disaster. Local businesses are facing difficult choices, contemplating closure or reduced working hours, switching to single-shift operations. These options are part of the conversation about ‘how to survive in the industry’ for those invested in tourism,” Filipović states.

He estimates that the complete closure of the road in the Tara Canyon has considerable repercussions. Montenegro will likely face negative repercussions, as this route is favored by motorcyclists, cyclists, campers, and other enthusiasts of active tourism.

Radonja Vuković, the director of the Mojkovac Tourist Organization (TO), asserts that this summer season has begun more weakly than in years past. He attributes this to “poor traffic connections and delays in the reconstruction of both the Mojkovac-Đurđevića Tara road and the Mojkovac-Ribarevine-Berane route.”

“With 80 percent of tourist traffic dependent on the accessibility of these roads, it highlights the critical role of regional infrastructure in tourism development. The longstanding failure to rehabilitate Sokolovina significantly hampers tourism growth in Mojkovac. This has led to reduced incomes for local tourism workers and growing dissatisfaction among tourists who have chosen to visit Mojkovac and northern Montenegro,” Vuković explains to “Vijesti”.

He notes that many tourists in Mojkovac are interested in exploring the Tara River Canyon, regarded as “one of the most attractive natural destinations in the region.” However, Vuković points out that many visitors are now “unable to engage in planned excursions and activities, which detracts from their overall experience and satisfaction during their stay.”

“Quality traffic connections are fundamental for a successful tourist season, facilitating visitor arrivals, increasing travel frequency, and enhancing connectivity with other regions. It is imperative to resolve these infrastructure issues promptly. The rehabilitation of Sokolovina is crucial, not just for local tourism, but also for the larger economic development of the surrounding area. Thus, prioritizing the swift completion of the reconstruction of these sections is essential to foster stable, sustainable, and long-term tourism growth,” Vuković asserts.

Promises and Missed Deadlines

Rehabilitation efforts for Sokolovina have faced multiple delays. In February, the Traffic Administration and contractor “InteMost” stated that they are committed to restarting the rehabilitation of the landslide “as soon as possible for local residents to have access to a passable road.”

They described the rehabilitation of the Sokolovina landslide as a significant and challenging project aimed at enhancing safety on the Mojkovac-Đurđevića Tara road.

Former Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Filip Radulović, had promised in November 2023 that the landslide rehabilitation would be completed within a year.

The project, which costs 10.6 million euros, includes stabilizing an unstable slope and constructing a roughly 400-meter-long gallery.

The Mojkovac to Đurđević Tara road has not been officially open or safe since 2015. Frequent landslides, occurring both earlier and during the construction, add to the complications. Last spring, about 2,000 cubic meters of soil fell onto the construction site.

The Municipality Steps In to Alleviate Losses, While the State Remains Awaiting Action

Recognizing the severity of the situation caused by the closure of the Mojkovac-Đurđevića Tara regional road, the Municipality and the TO has initiated concrete steps to expedite a resolution. Vuković states that numerous meetings have been convened with representatives from the tourism industry, the Transport Administration, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Tourism, and the contractor for the road rehabilitation. The aim has been to enhance communication among all involved parties. Furthermore, the local government has offered substantial assistance to the tourism sector.

“A portion of funds will be allocated to subsidize the costs incurred by tourism workers most affected by the road closure’s negative impact on their businesses. The details regarding the subsidy distribution model and realization conditions will be clarified soon through a transparent mechanism. This initiative aims to collaboratively tackle the challenges of the current tourist season while ensuring a fully operational road for future seasons,” states Vuković.

Bojan Filipović mentioned that the Municipality has earmarked around 50,000 euros from the budget to subsidize salaries for permanent employees in the tourism sector. However, he believes this will only assist larger tourism entities.

“Facilities employing seasonal workers have been overlooked. We also have campsites and rural households dependent on tourism for their livelihoods, having invested all their resources in this venture. The Traffic Administration has provided us with a draft agreement mandating the contractor to finish the work by the end of January next year, while also requiring the Administration to convene a meeting at the Ministry of Finance to explore potential assistance models for Mojkovac’s tourism sector,” adds Filipović, president of the Association of Tourist Workers.

He emphasizes that this assistance model should encompass not only businesses but also rural households, campsites, and entrepreneurs involved in tourism along the route. Filipović warns that failure to adopt a serious approach from the state could lead to a decline in quality workforce and clientele. They have already adjusted to business losses, “but losing quality workforce and clientele would pose a far greater challenge.”

The Growing Appeal of Rural Tourism

Mojkovac’s tourism sector increasingly hinges on rural tourism. As the Tourist Office director notes, interest in rural tourism, despite current issues in Mojkovac, “is continuously rising and becoming more popular among both local and international visitors.”

“A significant portion of our community is eager to engage in rural tourism services—adapting rural homes for accommodation, organizing outdoor activities, and promoting local products. Concurrently, demand for this type of holiday is increasing, especially among tourists from Western Europe. International visitors increasingly favor rural tourism for the active vacation opportunities in pristine nature, engaging in activities like fly fishing, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking. Such offerings enhance the diversity of our tourism product and attract a niche audience seeking an authentic and sustainable vacation,” highlights Vuković.

He notes that “this trend offers a vital growth opportunity for rural regions, boasting ideal conditions for further development, rich natural and cultural heritage, an unspoiled environment, and welcoming local populations.”

Israeli Tourists Massively Cancel Their Kolašin Visits

The positive reception of Kolašin’s significant attendance in early June is now tainted by the large-scale cancellation of reservations from Israeli tourists, who previously comprised a substantial segment of summer visitors to the area.

Zorica Milašinović, director of the Tourist Organization (TO), informed “Vijesti” that hotel accommodations are facing substantial setbacks due to flight cancellations from Israel.

“We anticipated continued good attendance into the latter half of June. However, the situation in Israel and resultant flight cancellations have led numerous Israeli tourists to withdraw their plans. We have seen a considerable number of group reservation cancellations in hotels and through travel agencies,” Milašinović states.

Currently, Kolašin is welcoming tourists from France, Belgium, Germany, England, and other European nations. The TO director notes that foreign visitors primarily seek nature experiences, away from urban life, and prefer active vacations.

In tandem with these trends, the newly created Kolašin Echo Festival is set to take place at the end of June, symbolizing the official commencement of the summer tourist season. The festival, organized by the Municipality of Kolašin alongside the Tourist Organization, will feature a blend of thrill-seeking activities and musical entertainment, including hiking, cycling, rafting, and jeep tours during the day, alongside evening concerts in the town square.

Notable performances are scheduled, including artists like “Galija”, Senidah, and Milica Pavlović. The festival will occur on June 27, 28, and 29, with a daily program featuring activities for children and art workshops.

Additionally, the months of July and August will host traditional events such as the “Tango Camp,” “Korifeja,” and “Ethno Camp,” aimed at enriching the non-boarding offerings and further positioning Kolašin as a premier summer destination.

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