Visit-Montenegro.com: Monaco and Portofino will be second-rated destinations

Tivat - “What we are witnessing here today and what we attempt to build is not just any hotel or resort, but one real nautical city which is going to transform perception of Montenegro in the world, its image, but what is more important, it will transform overall local economy. I want to make a promise – not simply because me and my partners are willing to invest money in implementation of this project, not even because you have an excellent infrastructure in the former military base of Arsenal, but because of the location of Porto Montenegro, the beauty of this area including what we are to develop here – all this will make destinations such as Monaco or Portofino second or third-rated. None of the future generations yet to come will ever forget what we have built here together” – Canadian businessman Peter Munk, who is the majority owner of “Adriatic Marinas” company and the main investor in this project, said last night at the inauguration ceremony for the first phase of the new marina for mega yachts “Porto Montenegro” in Tivat.

The lavish reception on the jetty of the new marina was attended by many local and international guests, Munk’s business associates, Nathaniel Rothschild, Oleg Deripaska and Dusko Knezevic, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Public Administration - Ivan Brajovic and the Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications- Andrija Lompar, representative of Aman Resorts Jean-Pierre Baratin, Professor Veselin Vukotic, businessman Zoran-Coco Becirovic, representatives of diplomatic corps, maritime economy and local administration in Tivat.

After Munk gave his keynote speech, his wife Melanie Munk smashed the bottle of champagne against the newly built jetty with 85 berths for yachts long between 12 and 100 metres which symbolically announced that “Porto Montenegro” is open for business. The first yacht to be berthed at new jetty was Deripaska’s Queen K known as “floating palace” worth EUR 60 million approximately.

Peter Munk firmly believes that Porto Montenegro marks the beginning of a new era for Tivat, the Bay of Kotor and entire Montenegro. He adds that nautical tourism will contribute to overall prosperity of the country.

He expressed his gratitude to the government “which had sheer breadth of vision and supported us”, to the Mayor of Tivat – Dragan Kankaras “who risked his political future by confronting local labor unions, which is a big deal for a politician” and to his business associates “who supported my dream”.

Highlighting that he was especially glad that Peter Munk perceived Porto Montenergo as his personal project, the Mayor of Tivat Kankaras said that this investment would open a new dimension for the future development.

- Someone would say that these yachts are the symbol of prestige and luxury, but I would rather say that they indicate prosperity of what Tivat wants and can become in the near future. Only people of vision and courage can start and complete this kind of project – pointed out the mayor.

The Executive Manager of “Adriatic Marinas” Oliver Corlette emphasized that Porto Montenegro would grow into one of “the most spectacular marinas in the Mediterranean” and he expressed his gratitude to the local and public administration on their support in implementation of this multi-billion-euro-worth project

By S.L.