Nature as a brand - Why Montenegro has ideal conditions for the development of camping tourism

Last year was a record year for camping in Europe, so the data of the Eurocampings.nl portal show that for the first time more than 20 million online searches for this type of accommodation were recorded. This represents an increase of 11% compared to 2024, while online bookings increased by 30%. Also, out of a total of 3.08 billion overnight stays recorded in the European Union last year, 413 million or 13% were related to campsites. These data show us that this is an increasingly popular form of tourism around the world, and this is where the opportunity lies for Montenegro, which already attracts a significant number of campers with its beautiful surroundings.

Although Montenegro still does not have precise and complete data measuring the number of tourists in this segment, the Camping Association of Montenegro says that last year was very successful, with more arrivals and longer guest stays. Since the country is working intensively to become a year-round tourist destination, the development of camping tourism is one of the ways to make it happen. The season starts much earlier, ends later, and this type of tourism attracts guests who are looking for authentic experiences, travel longer and slower, and since they are not limited to hotel services, they shop in local stores and households, visit wineries and thus help small businesses and local communities.

The aim of the Association is to increase the visibility of the camping offer, and to help the camps to meet European standards and contribute to a better business environment.

- We want Montenegro to be known as a country of authentic, green and family camps. Camping today is not just staying in a tent. It is a modern, sustainable and increasingly popular form of tourism. More and more travelers choose camping because of the freedom, simplicity and closeness to nature. Our task is that this potential in Montenegro is recognized and strategically developed - he emphasizes.

When asked whether Montenegro can brand camping as part of its green tourist offer, Bajčeta answers that not only can, but it should be done.

- It is important to note that the camping season in Montenegro begins long before the official tourist season. The first major arrivals start already in April, and if the weather is favorable, the season can last until November. In the pre-season and post-season, the most frequent guests are foreigners, mostly pensioners with camper vans. They are very reliable and grateful guests. Sometimes they only stay for a day or two, but they often extend their stay for several weeks if they like the destination. Through cooperation with the CCS club from Slovenia, we have a good insight into their habits. Their members spend about 220 days a year in camper vans. They usually spend the winter in warmer regions such as the south of Spain or Morocco, and in the spring they travel through Europe. Montenegro is on that route and is particularly attractive in April, May, June and again in September - Bajčeta tells us.

During July and August, when there are big crowds and high temperatures in Montenegro, especially in the south of the country, part of the campers chooses mountain and fresher destinations in the interior of the country.

On the other hand, in the areas outside the protected zones the procedure is not too complicated, especially since the camps are usually located outside the urban areas. Then, he says, it is often not necessary that a detailed urban plan specifically foresees a camp, but registration can be carried out relatively easily according to the existing rules.

- Montenegro is getting closer to membership in the European Union, which will certainly attract more serious investors who are already familiar with the developed models of camping and glamping tourism throughout Europe. In countries such as Croatia, almost a third of tourist traffic in some regions comes from the camping sector. It clearly shows the potential of this segment. By then, our goal is to create an environment where sustainable solutions will be more important than mass concreting. Together with the relevant institutions, we are working on the promotion of Montenegro as a destination for the sustainable development of camping and glamping, especially in the north of the country, where there is great natural potential. If clear rules and spatial frameworks are set in time, camping and glamping can be a smarter alternative to traditional construction, with less pressure on space and long-term economic sustainability - he points out.

- Camps are usually outside cities, along rivers, lakes, mountains or in the countryside. Thus, the income from tourism does not remain only on the coast, but also reaches the interior. It is also important that camping guests are not limited to hotel services. They shop at local stores, eat at restaurants, visit wineries, farms and cultural events. Thus, they directly help small businesses and local communities. Because of all this, camping tourism is not only a different way of vacation. It is also a tool for extending the tourist season and more even development of the country.

- Montenegro should not become a country of large concrete tourist complexes intended for sale, but rather develop a network of authentic, family and sustainable camps connected by quality infrastructure. If the roads are improved, the procedures are simplified and the area is developed according to plan, camping tourism can become one of the most stable and permanent parts of the tourist offer in Montenegro - concluded Veselin Bajčeta in an interview for eKapija.