Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic has said that the current tourist season is 20 percent better compared to the same period last year, adding that this economic sector allows for the full sustainability of Montenegro and its public finance.

“This has not happened before, or at least not to this extent. It means that we are generating revenues sufficient to easily cover the expenses we have as a state,” Abazovic stated at a thematic Cabinet meeting held at Biogradsko Lake.

He said that the tourist season was very good, with the pre-season exceeding all expectations, and the main season slightly above the figures from 2019 in terms of the number of visitors, while the revenues were significantly better.

“The overall effects of the tourism industry have exceeded the optimistic expectations that were set at the beginning. I expect that we will successfully finish the high season,” Abazovic said.

According to him, the number of tourist arrivals to the north of Montenegro has significantly increased, which indicates that the tourism industry is undergoing a diversification.

“We also expect that the major infrastructure project, the Kotor-Lovcen ropeway, will soon be available to tourists. This is the crowning achievement of the 43rd Government, as it has been planned for 30 years or more,” Abazovic stated.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Goran Djurovic said that certain challenges related to infrastructure had been encountered during the season, such as traffic congestion and delays at border crossings, as well as water supply.

“Fortunately, there are no major problems,” Djurovic added.

He said that the tourist structure was changing significantly, as the country had previously been oriented towards guests from the region, adding that Montenegro was becoming an attractive destination for all of Europe and the world.

“There are 171,400 tourists currently staying in Montenegro, 20 percent more than last year,” Djurovic said.