16 November 2018 - Hotel Splendid Conference & SPA Resort 5* is the absolute winner in the Best Seaside Hotel category in the region, at the annual SEEbtm Awards 2018.

On November 15, in the organization of the Conference Tourism Platform SEEmice.com and the Specialized Magazine SEEbtm, the congress industry of the region gathered for the 7^th time on the SEEbtm Party, which profiled itself as a strong networking platform of key stakeholders in the congress industry and event management.

SEEbtm party is an exclusive event, organized by the portal “Kongresniturizam” (SEEmice.com) and SEEbtm magazine, which brings together congress industry of South East Europe region. The 2018 SEEbtm Party’s guests included representatives in the field of business tourism and congress industry (hotels, event venues and conference centres, agencies and companies who are the organizers of the events), as well as other stakeholders and influential people from the industry.

At this year’s gathering in Belgrade (Serbia), the SEEbtm Awards were given to the best regional hotels and venues related to the congress and business tourism. These prestigious awards were granted in 17 different categories based on the votes of the “buyers” in congress tourism - people from the congress industry regions, clients of nominated candidates and SEEbtm magazine team. During this event, Hotel "Splendid Conference & SPA Resort 5* received the "Best Seaside Hotel 2018" Award and, once again, confirmed its quality services.

Located in the small town of Bečići in Montenegro, Splendid Conference & SPA Resort was opened in 2006 as the first 5 stars hotel on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. The hotel has four bars and three restaurants of different cuisines, the largest SPA centre in Montenegro and the Casino Royal. Splendid Conference & SPA Resort has the largest conference venue in Montenegro. The venue can host up to 800 people. Hotel Splendid offers several modern halls and syndicate rooms with beautiful decoration and all the necessary technical equipment, suitable for business and private events.

"We are proud of the fact that we were awarded as the best coastal hotel in general because we were the first laureates of this regional award, established two years ago. At that time, we were declared the best Grand Hotel for Congress Tourism with over 200 rooms. Our overall impression is reinforced by the fact that the expert jury consists of 27 jury members and eight out of 8,700 corporate clients from the region, which is really convincing. It is nice to know that we enjoy their trust and that our very clients reward us for what we do for them because they know us best. It is the most beautiful satisfaction for the effort," said the PR manager of the Hotel Group Montenegro stars Maja Vukićević, at the award ceremony.

SEEbtm Awards are recognitions powered by SEEbtm magazine, to the best and most prominent hotels and venues in the meetings industry for the current year, based on the votes of the readers, event organizers and the jury of the SEEbtm magazine. SEEbtm magazine is a magazine specialized in business travel and events industry in the South East Europe region, supported by the leading regional portal Kongresniturizam.com, which this year celebrates 12 years of operation.

Read more information about Hotel Splendid Conference & SPA Resort here.

14 November 2018 - Washington Life Magazine, a premier lifestyle magazine and media outlet in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, has recently posted an article about the “Dalmatian Dream” - a luxurious travel through Croatia and Montenegro. “It’s not hard to see why two small neighboring states on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea have become Europe’s hottest summer destinations. With over 1,200 islands, sky blue water, ancient walled cities, a rich cultural history that includes numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, high quality local food, snow-capped peaks and pristine lakes, Croatia and Montenegro offer unsurpassed holiday experiences at generally reasonable prices," the writer Kevin Chaffee explains. He suggested to his readers to experience luxurious holidays in Montenegro, exploring the country’s nature and cultural heritage.

“Ferry transportation down the Dalmatian coast stops at Dubrovnik, which means renting a car (or hiring a car and driver) from Dubrovnik is the best option to explore the charms of neighboring Montenegro, now one of Europe’s hottest destinations. The journey can take two or more hours, much of it spent waiting in line to pass through both countries’ immigration controls, so be sure to allow plenty of time if you have a flight to catch on either side of the border at Dubrovnik or the Montenegrin international airports at Tivat or Podgorika. Well-heeled travelers also have the option of private helicopter service.

Porto Montenegro in the town of Tivat on the shore of the nearby UNESCO-protected Boka Bay, is a city unto itself offering every amenity international jet-setters could desire. Developed over the past dozen years and now owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, it has become “the new Monaco” with the world’s largest super yachts filling up every spot (up to 800 feet) in the 450-berth harbor in peak summer season. The adjacent “nautical village” teems with high-end bars and boutiques catering to the tastes of an international clientele for whom luxury is an absolute necessity.

The high-end Regent Porto Montenegro, loosely designed to reflect a refined Venetian Renaissance theme, offers highly personalized service and luxurious accommodations in its 87 expansive rooms and 62 suites and apartments, most with balconies overlooking the water. The stunning 10,000-square-foot pool complex encompasses a luxurious spa and hammam, three swimming pools and a gym. Guests also have access via private shuttle to a separate pool/nightclub facility with a Saint-Tropez vibe as well as a secluded private beach. A meal at the Mediterranean-inspired Murano Restaurant and a drink at the cozy Library Bar are recommended as well as a visit to the outstanding Gourmet Corner, which specializes in artisanal cakes and pastries. From $325. regenthotels.com.

After ogling the yachts, check out the marina’s pricey shops (don’t miss the amazing pharmacy) and watch teenage fashion victims parade about in $700 Dolce & Gabbana T-shirts and other designer duds as they amble to and from daddy’s boat. If you are in a more serious-minded mood, the nearby Naval Heritage Center maritime museum and submarine are worth a look.

You’ll also want to devote a day or more to explore the towns on Boka Bay, Europe’s southernmost fjord. The best way to accomplish this is via private motorboat with a captain/guide who can be hired through the Regent’s concierge (embarkation is immediately adjacent to the hotel). Along the way, Herceg Novi displays a fine combination of romantic, Byzantine and oriental architectural styles while Risan is known for the remnants of classical culture found there, dominated by the remains of a Roman patrician’s villa with beautiful mosaic floors. Kotor, a UNESCO-protected site, is the top attraction, an old Venetian city and cultural center that has withstood numerous invasions over the last thousand or so years and now attracts a lively crowd in summer that throngs its picturesque churches, museums and restaurants. It’s easy to experience daily life while meandering about the narrow lanes and small squares because it has not been totally overwhelmed by tourists except when cruise ship passengers disembark for a few hours of look & see. Finally there is Perast, another UNESCO Heritage-protected town where no cars are allowed, making it rather pleasant to explore its palaces and churches, some in ruins, set amid small hotels and family homes.

Your captain will surely disembark you at Our Lady of the Rocks (Croatian: Gospa od Škrpjela) off the coast of Perast, an artificial islet created by a sinking derelict and pirated ships loaded with rocks. The Roman Catholic Church of the same name was constructed by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding an icon of the Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea in 1452. The church, which was renovated in 1722, contains 68 works by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century Baroque painter from Perast.

At the foot of Porto Montenegro’s yacht-infested Jetty 1, One Restaurant’s spacious terrace beckons with “the most expensive view in the country.” Although the modern Adriatic menu featuring local ingredients competes with international favorites unavailable elsewhere, people watching will always be the main course here. The extensive wine list features many rosé labels as well as high-end champagnes. The Clubhouse, located a bit aft in the harbor, is a low-key nightspot that attracts an eclectic, younger crowd. Owned by a pair of Australian “best mates,” this casual watering hole is famed for oddly named drinks (“Boulevardier,” “Pink Pussy”), DJs and live music as well as great eavesdropping opportunities when off-duly crew from the super yachts dish about the owners’ various peculiarities and peccadilloes. It’s also the best place in town to watch major televised sports events like the World Cup.

It is best to rent a car to further explore Montenegro. Begin by driving from Tivat further down the coast to Budva, a summer party paradise boasting the best beaches in the country, ranging from the secluded and quiet to those with bustling party scenes and thunderous dance music that lasts until sunset (when scenesters continue their revelries back in the historic old town). Founded by the Greeks in the fourth century B.C. and fortified in the Middle Ages, it is now the center of the “Budva Riviera,” which runs 22 miles from Trsteno to Buljarica, and is dotted with sheltered coves and miles of sand and pebble beaches. Those with deep pockets but no super yacht can be spotted at Montenegro’s most expensive and exclusive hotel, the Aman Sveti Stefan, a complex of 15th-century stone buildings more like a medieval village than a hotel, housing 50 palatial suites and cottages with inspiring views of the coast. From $750. aman.com.

Head north to Cetinje, an odd combination of former capital city and quaint village that is the nation’s cultural heart. Get a 10-euro ticket to gain entry to six different museums, the most interesting and important of which is the King Nikola Museum Palace. The home of the ruling Petrovi-Njegoš dynasty until they fled in 1918, its somewhat musty rooms contain ornate furniture, Chinese vases, imposing portraits, taxidermied animals and a beautiful library that is closed to the public but can sometimes be accessed via a hired guide. Also visit Cetinje Monastery dating to 1786 and the History Museum, grandly housed in the city’s former parliament, that follows a timeline from prehistoric times to the mid-1950s.

Meander further northward enjoying the dramatic views through the mountainous region where the country’s vast national parks and pristine lakes are located. Check in at the Bianca Resort & Spa, a ski lodge in the town of Kolasin that is quiet, clean and features a huge pool, a whirlpool and an excellent sauna. Rooms are smallish and have no air conditioning or screens on the windows (although that is generally not a problem at this altitude). The cafeteria-style food is bland at best with the staff grumbling if they have to prepare anything off the limited à la carte menu — “communist-era hospitality” at its best! From $75, kolasin1450,com. (TIP: Ask for directions to a nearby restaurant run by the Damjanovica family that features hearty local specialties including local trout and kacamak, a tasty cheese and potato staple.)

From Kolasin it’s a two-hour drive to Biogradska Gora, the second oldest (1878) national park in the world, boasting one of the largest primeval forests in Europe. You’ll want to spend most of the day exploring its verdant landscapes, six pristine glacial lakes and 26 different habitats burgeoning with diverse flora, fauna and fish (including the grayling, which has disappeared from the rest of Europe). Historic heritage sites include sacral monuments and traditional architecture structures. Contact the The Explorer Tourist Agency explorer.co.me for top notch guided tours and be sure to ask about a visit to Eku Katun Vranjak, about 5,000 feet above sea level at the end of a bumpy, winding dirt road. The remote, family-run nomadic settlement of ten wooden chalets (some are available for overnight stays) sits amid breathtaking peaks and rolling pastures with herds of goats and cows feeding on grass as you enjoy a hearty lunch there. Reserve overnight stays and lunch-only visits at jelka.me.

Enjoy the drive south back to Tivat past rolling farmlands, creeks and the impressive Moraca Canyon to Podgorica (pronounced Pod-go-reet-sa), Montenegro’s “pocket-sized” capital known as “Titograd” in communist times. Stroll along the main street, the Slobode, as well as the side lanes to explore the Old Town (Stara Varos) and its shops, cafes and restaurants including Pod Volat for delicious pizzas and regional dishes that are ridiculously cheap.

Lake Skadar is not on the normal tourist route because it is neither on the coast nor anywhere near to the sprawling national parks. It is however a great place to stop if you enjoy the great outdoors and want to hike, bicycle, swim at freshwater beaches or explore nature preserves. Be sure to visit the Serbian Orthodox Vranjina Monastery, one of the country’s oldest religious sites located on the south-east part of Vranjina island and accessible by an access road from the shore.”

Read more information about the article and the luxurious travel through Montenegro and Croatia here.

14 November 2018 - On Wednesday, November 14, the Sports Minister of Montenegro, Nikola Janović, accompanied by the General Manager of Telenor Montenegro, Sandra Steiner, and the General Secretary of the High School Students Union, Jovan Bojović, presented the project "Free Internet Access for Youth Clubs and Youth Centres", which provides free internet access in youth clubs and centres throughout Montenegro.

The Ministry of Sports of Montenegro is actively working on creating new opportunities for young people in order to improve their information access and realization of activities that will enable them to make quality leisure time said Janović. "We consider that youth clubs and centres are one of the key infrastructural mechanisms for improving the participation of young people in the political, social, cultural and economic spheres of society, development of life skills and strengthening of their social influence," the Minister concluded.

In the past period, the Sports Ministry has financially supported the opening of youth clubs in Tivat, Budva, Pljevlja, Berane, Mojkovac, Ulcinj, Cetinje, Tuzi, as well as three youth clubs and youth centre in Podgorica, with the aim of improving their functioning. Within the “Free Internet Access for Youth Clubs and Youth Centres" Project, the Ministry of Sports and the Union of High School Students will, with financial support by Telenor Foundation, provide free internet access to all young people visiting the aforementioned premises.

"Young people in Montenegro use the Internet access on a daily basis for communication purposes, access to social networks and search for information. By providing them with free access to the Internet, we want to encourage them to use technology to learn and improve their knowledge and skills, which will be increasingly needed in the digital age," aid Sandra Steiner, General Manager of Telenor Montenegro.

Jovan Bojović, secretary general of the Union of High School Students, expressed satisfaction that his organization has continuous cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and has now achieved cooperation with the Telenor Foundation as well. He pointed out that besides the fact that this project will provide free internet for youth clubs and centres, a number of educational workshops on internet literacy of young people will be realized.

In order to realize the project, a contract was signed between the Telenor Foundation and the Union of High School Students, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports.

By providing free internet access to young people in the youth clubs and centres, the Ministry will enable young people in Montenegro to have easier access to the information they can use in their everyday life, education, the transition period from school to job finding, employment. The Sports Ministry also wants to encourage young people to visit youth centres and participate in the programs that these clubs have to offer.

14 November 2018 - In the framework of this year's Montenegrin presidency of the A5 Initiative, a meeting of Defence Ministers of the US-Adriatic Charter (A5) member countries was held in Budva on Wednesday, November 14. The meeting was opened by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković, Minister of Defence, Predrag Bošković and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the USA, Laura Cooper.

Prime Minister Marković pointed out that the successful fifteen-year operations of the US-Adriatic Charter strongly confirms the quality of the defence cooperation of the Western Balkan countries. He highlighted the significant contribution of the A5 Initiative in achieving the strategic goal of Montenegro to become the 29th member of the North Atlantic Alliance, reminding that this is the third Montenegrin presidency of the Charter, but first as a full-fledged NATO member. Marković also said that the primary objective of the US-Adriatic Charter is to provide support to aspirant countries in the process of approaching and joining the Alliance. He concluded that Montenegro will continue to advocate the rapid and efficient fulfilment of the goals, ie strengthening the comprehensive bilateral cooperation of the countries of South-Eastern Europe.

Minister Bošković emphasized that the US-Adriatic Charter represents an important forum for promoting the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the countries of Southeast Europe, as well as a powerful instrument for strengthening regional cooperation in the field of defence. He said that during the Montenegrin presidency, the Charter confirmed the commitment of member countries to good neighbourly cooperation and joint confrontation with contemporary security challenges, in order to preserve regional stability.

Cooper emphasized the importance of the role of the US-Adriatic Charter in strengthening mutual understanding and trust in the countries of the region. She said that security challenges and issues create a need for defining common resources and projects, which will also contribute to further development of national defence capacities, and that the United States will continue to support the efforts of the countries of the region in this regard.

The participants of the meeting reaffirmed their determination to continue contributing to regional security and stability, through strengthening good neighbourly relations, improving political dialogue and developing military cooperation, in order to ensure lasting peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Defence of BiH, Marina Pendeš, Defence Minister of Croatia, Damir Krstičević, Defence Minister of Macedonia, Radmila Šekerinska, Defence Minister of Kosovo, Rustem Beriša, Defence Minister of Albania, Olte Džačka, Slovenia’s State Secretary for Defence, Miloš Bizjak, and Serbia’s State Secretary for Defence, Aleksandar Živkovic.

10 November 2018 - The international film festival Forteca, which took place in Perast and which is unique to both Montenegro and the Balkans, was held in July this year. Due to great interest after Perast, the festival is starting its tour of Montenegro this year - Forteca International Film Festival Perast tour 2018, which will be held in the Budva Cadmus Cineplex from November 12 to 14. During this occasion, a variety of Nordic movies will be played in front of the people of Budva and its guests.

This year's selection of films presents part of the retrospective of Nordic movies such as Arn - The Knight Templar - the spectacle of the director Peter Flint from 2007, but also Smiles of Summer Night by Bergman, which at the same time marks the 100th anniversary of Bergman's birth.

Alongside Arn - The Knight Templar and Smiles of Summer Night, movies such as All Inclusive, The Emigrants, Maste Gitt and A Serious Game will be played in front of the Budva's audience as well.

06 November 2018 - The Sea Dance Music Festival in Buljarica has brought a lot of benefits to this particular area, including the recognition on the tourist map of Montenegro, as well as investments in road and communal infrastructure, which has been neglected for years, as noted by President of the Buljarica Local Community, Đorđe Gregović.

By investing in road and communal infrastructure, which had been neglected for many years, and by changing the water supply network, this area has taken on a different appearance.

"I would like to emphasize that one large area has been cleaned and that it is in the benefit of the inhabitants, because it was in a rather neglected state. The biggest benefit is marketing for the future," Gregović said.

A month ago, the Buljarica Local Community submitted an initiative to the Municipality of Budva for a large piece of attractive municipal land which is near the sea to be brought to shape, so it can meet its buyer.

"This is an attractive location and it is suitable for tourist construction. We proposed to the Municipality to find a buyer and to build an investment fund for Buljarica from these funds. This money would be directed to the construction of a road and infrastructure network that is currently modest in Buljarica," Gregović noted.

During the budget preparation, the representatives of this Local Community will insist on new requirements.

"There are a couple of things we need to insist on: it is building at least one of the two key boulevard routes in Buljarica and beginning to solve the sewage system, because there is nothing regulated here right now and we all know how much it is needed especially in the summer days," concluded Gregović.

01 November 2018 - Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin congratulated Montenegrin state prosecutors on their crucial contribution to the observed results in the fight against organised crime and corruption in Montenegro in the past year, stressing that the expectations of the Government and the whole society are the highest level of responsibility, knowledge and professionalism in the work of state prosecutors. 

Addressing the participants of the ceremony in Budva on the occasion of the Day of the Prosecutors of Montenegro, DPM Pažin pointed out that Montenegrin society undoubtedly appreciates the importance, ability and contribution of the prosecutorial organisation to the realisation of justice and security, since Montenegro in its Constitution guaranteed to the prosecutorial organisation not only autonomy in professional decision-making but also absolute independence from the Executive Authority. 

DPM Pažin underlined that because of this systemic position of the prosecutorial organisation, to which the Constitution entrusted the highest degree of independence, the Government and the whole society have great expectations from state prosecutors. 

"The reason for such expectations is simple because justice in Montenegro depends to a large extent from your independent behaviour and decision-making in the investigation, qualification and proving of criminal offenses," DPM Pažin stressed. 

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his conviction that the Montenegrin Prosecutor's Office has sufficient leadership wisdom, persecution and professionalism that will justify these great expectations and hopes that the whole Montenegrin society lays in the prosecutorial organisation. 

"Moreover, many of those present in this room have already proved that many times," DPM Pažin said. 

DPM Pažin recalled that only during this year, the Prosecutor's office launched investigations against more than 100 persons for the criminal offenses of organised Crime and corruption, assessing that this enough speaks about the contribution of prosecutors in providing safe society, as a prerequisite for Montenegro’s progress. 

Deputy Prime Minister Pažin highlighted other significant successes in the fight against crime that were achieved this year through the good cooperation of the Prosecutor's office with other state bodies. 

Within good cooperation with the Police Directorate, property acquired through crime amounting to about 30 million EUR and illegal cigarettes worth over 10 million EUR were seized, while several tons of narcotics were prevented from entering Montenegro. 

DPM Pažin estimated that by such convincing results, the state authorities sent a clear message that crime in Montenegro is not pay off.

DPM Pažin underlined, however, that the competent state authorities should not be satisfied with the achieved, as long as there are citizens, journalists, businessmen whose rights are violated and who rightfully expect from the state to protect their dignity and provide justice, in particular, if justice is awaited for a long time.

October 21, 2018 - NGO Porat - Pizana Budva organized a protest to express revolt on many years of unsuccessful efforts in trying to communicate with the Public Enterprise Sea Property to reach a solution acceptable to the citizens of Budva for negotiations over the Budva Port.