Attracting investments in the Tourism Sector in Ulcinj, Montenegro

M.A. Arian Marini
Public policy & Governance, Rochester Institute of Technology
Human Rights and Democracy, University of Sarajevo & University of Bologna, BiH & Italy
arimarini1998@gmail.com / axm8778@g.rit.edu

ABSTRACT

The goal of this paper is to raise awareness regarding the lack of investments in the tourism sector in the Municipality of Ulcinj, Montenegro. Ulcinj, located in the southern coastal region of Montenegro has tremendous potential for becoming an elite tourist destination. However, for decades now it is being neglected of its tremendous potentiality of thriving in the tourism arena. A careful and thorough analysis of the stakeholders tasked with promoting the tourism sector will be given in this research project. Detailed analysis of the public opinion which will be gathered via survey, will be displayed throughout this project. Expert opinion, which was gathered via interviews, will be displayed thoroughly in alignment with the scope of this research. Policy recommendations will be incorporated in order to diminish the scale of the abovementioned issue.

Keywords: Investments, Tourism Sector, Ulcinj, development, social sciences

Introduction

Investments are necessary in the context of boosting the prosperity and livelihood of society. Despite this, investments can contribute positively to fostering economic growth, both at the local and national levels. Considering the broad scope that the term ‘investment’ can cover, it is necessary to point out that this paper will elaborate thoroughly and solely upon investments in the tourism sector in Ulcinj, a coastal city located in the southern region of Montenegro. Renowned organizations such as the World Bank and World Economic Forum, “strongly believe this sector can boost competitiveness, expand economic opportunity and provide a pathway to prosperity in client countries” (Hornberger & Nevill, 2011). There is a lot of truth in what has been said by Hornberger & Nevill, considering that Montenegro is a client country in itself, with a significant amount of its annual revenue coming from the tourism sector. More specifically, “Montenegro has generated €1 billion and €16 million in tourism revenue in the first eleven months of this year” (Boka News, 2019). Yet, the most important aspect that needs to be looked upon is how much of that revenue came from the Municipality of Ulcinj and are those numbers (wherever they may be) satisfactory, both at the local and national level? If not, why is that the case, and what reforms need to be implemented in order to effectively amplify the potential that the territory of Ulcinj can offer? Attaining an adequate level of growth and upgrade in the tourism sector is necessary and significant for Montenegro as a whole. However, in order to attain success at the national level, it is profoundly important to effectively utilize every aspect of available potential at the municipal level. Ulcinj, for decades now has been undermined of its tremendous potentiality in the Tourism Sector. In this sense, throughout this paper, I will look upon the investment history of Ulcinj. Additionally, I will be elaborating upon the necessity of attracting investment in Ulcinj, as that will have a tremendous positive impact on other sectors within the society, both in the short and long term at the national and municipal level. Careful analysis of the stakeholders responsible for the task of promoting the sector of tourism will be done. Their successes and failures will be presented evenly throughout this project, while potential alternatives will be presented as well as recommended.

Volume 6.No.2(2022): April – (Social Sciences Session)

ISSN 2661-2666 (Online) International Scientific Journal Monte (ISJM)
ISSN 2661-264X (Print)

DOI : 10.33807/monte.20222531

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.33807/monte.20222531

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This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)