Ulcinj: Worse Than Ever

Ulcinj- Although the official statistic figures suggest that the pre-season period in Ulcinj is same as it had been last year, majority of lease-holders at Ulcinj’s beaches claim that the number of guests had significantly decreased in comparison to the same period in 2007.

Almost all of them share the conclusion that the main case of such situation is bad weather outlook in the area, emphasizing, however, that this was not the only reason.

“Bad weather had dominant influence when it comes to the decrease in the number of guests. However, reasons for the poor visit can also be found in the fact that the government had banned or limited the amount of food and drinks that can be brought into the country, as well as in the drop in the living standards at the markets which are traditionally loyal to Ulcinj Riviera”, lease-holder of “Miami”, Dzenana Hodzic said, whose beach had been ready for the season for a long time.

Dzefa Delic and Prelja Skrelja, who are lease-holders at Ulcinj’s famous beaches “Safrija” and “Kopakabana”, which are both also marked with Blue Flag, share this opinion.

“It is most definite that the weather did not help us, but neither have the delays in the construction works along the entire coastline.

Also, although I have positive opinion about this law, I believe that the Law on the amount of food and drinks that tourists can bring into the country had direct impact to the tourists which have lower payment capabilities, who have often been our guests”, Delic told Vijesti.

Pre-season had failed completely at popular “Kopakabana” beach where the number of guests, according to Skrelja, comes to half of what it had been last year.

“Rain is the main reason for the drop in the number of tourists in comparison to last year. However, I do think we also did a poor job with advertising and that we all share the blame”, Skrelja said in his statement for Vijesti.

Lease-holder for a part of Mala plaza, Gano Resulbegovic agrees with the weather-factor’s impact, but points to yet another reason for the lack of guests:

“Pre-season had never been worse. Reasons are numerous, starting with the weather and ending with the lack of hotel capacities. Besides, not counting the beaches which are the best part of the offer, Ulcinj had not renewed its’ entertainment offer in ages, unlike other towns and regions, for instance, in Albania”, Rasulbegovic says.

More Hotel Guests Than Last Year

While the beach lease-holders point to the lack of visitors, hoteliers of “Ulcinjska Rivijera” company enjoy lucrative results.

Acting Executive Director, Miomir Jaksic maintains that the number of visitors, accommodated in the hotels owned by this company, has increased by 20 percent in comparison to the same period last year.

“We had 33 percent more guests in May than last year. Of course, there are drops, which have influenced our June results. The number of visitors in the nudist camp at Ada Bojana is on the same level it had been last year, despite the drop in the number of visitors from Germany, following the cancellation from “Neckerman” agency and the fact that there are no flights to Tivat.

On the other hand, we now have more visitors from Czech Republic, Russians, but also domestic guests. “Olimpik” is our very important asset this year and it is already the hit of the season”, Jaksic said. He added that the objects of the “Ulcinj Rivijera” would accommodate traditional meetings of the workers of Montenegro’s Power Supply Company, bringing this hotel chain more than 500 guests.

By: S. ADROVIC