Unexpected winter season for Montenegrin tourism – energy tourists are coming

Montenegro’s tourism sector could make unexpected profits during the energy crisis due to high energy prices in Europe. The country is preparing an offer to attract an emerging type of tourists, primarily from Central and Western Europe, the so-called “energy tourists,” but also the well-known category of digital nomads.

Energy tourists are European Union (EU) citizens who plan to move during the winter to countries where energy is not as expensive as in their native states.

Ranko Jovović, president of the Tourism and Hospitality Association Board in the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro (PKCG), said that electricity prices in the EU have risen significantly, so European citizens are booking hotels in Turkey for the upcoming winter.

Almost 60,000 guests from Germany are expected in Dubrovnik

He added that the situation is similar in Croatia, where one travel agency alone is expected to bring more than 58,000 guests from Germany to Dubrovnik. At the same time, the domestic tourism industry has entered a period of low activity.

The Board of the Tourism and Hospitality Association has initiated a meeting at PKCG with the aim of launching a campaign to promote Montenegro as a destination where guests from Western and Central Europe could stay longer with the money they would otherwise spend on food and heating in their home countries.

At the meeting, it was agreed to set up a working group that will create an offer for energy tourists and digital nomads. The working group will comprise representatives of hoteliers, travel agencies, the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism, the National Tourism Organization, the airline To Montenegro, and the airports of Montenegro.

It all started in Great Britain

Economic Development and Tourism Minister Goran Đurović asked all participants in the meeting to prepare offers for digital nomads and energy tourists, with a focus on the German and the British markets. Those offers will be also promoted at the upcoming fair in London.

Aleksandra Gardašević Slavuljica from the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism said that energy tourists first appeared in Great Britain, and then the trend spread to Germany, France, and other Western European countries.

The assumption is that energy tourists will be elderly people and families with small children

Responsible tourist destinations started developing offers a few weeks ago, and there is great potential, she added.

Gardašević-Slavuljica highlighted Britain as the place where it all started. Their officials proposed to their citizens to spend the winter abroad in order to reduce their living costs, as well as energy consumption in the country.

According to her, the assumption is that energy tourists are elderly people and families with small children, and the period of their stay is estimated at one month at least.

The Canary Islands are the first destination for energy tourists, and Montenegro should be the second

The Canary Islands are the first destination in the world that welcomes energy tourists, and Montenegro should be next, so it is necessary to come up with offers as soon as possible, she said.

Ana Tripković Marković, director of the National Tourist Organization, invited everyone to submit concrete offers and prices in the next ten days, in order to create an attractive promotion.

Branislav Prelević, chairman of the Board of the Regulatory Agency for Energy (REGAGEN), denied allegations in the media that the agency had already prepared an increase in the price of electricity. He explained that the final price will be known following public consultation.