Celebrated for its breath taking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Montenegro is now swiftly emerging as a premier MICE destination.
Welcoming over 80,000 UK visitors in the first eight months of 2024, compared with 89,000 for the entirety of 2023, Montenegro saw an increase of 18% on 2022. With its unique blend of stunning landscapes, world-class facilities, and warm hospitality, the country is now poised to become a top choice for the travel trade industry seeking fresh and inspiring locations and activities for their next big event. Here’s why Montenegro should be on your radar for MICE tourism.
A Strategic Location
Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Montenegro is easily accessible from the majority of major European cities. The country also boasts two international airports – Podgorica and Tivat – with frequent and affordable services from across the UK and offering onward connections to cities including Vienna, Istanbul and Belgrade. This unique strategic location makes it an ideal setting for international conferences and events.
World-Class Facilities and Five Star Spaces
Montenegro’s burgeoning capital Podgorica, in addition to the coastal cities are home to state-of-the-art conference centres and hotels equipped with the latest technology and amenities to hold large scale events. The Splendid Conference and Spa Resort in Budva for example, features over 2,000 sq m of meeting space, including a grand ballroom and multiple breakout rooms that can host up to 900 people.
For a more intimate setting, the luxurious Porto Montenegro in Tivat offers versatile venues such as the Naval Heritage Collection, a maritime museum turned event space, and the five star Regent Porto Montenegro, which provides elegant meeting rooms combined with stunning waterfront views. These facilities cater to a wide range of events, from large-scale conferences and exhibitions to exclusive corporate retreats in seven unique spaces on offer catering from 4 to 250 guests.
Located in the stunning Kotor Bay area, the Hyatt Kotor Bay offers the biggest capacity for events in Montenegro across four different spaces, and recently opened a new stylish ballroom for conferences, product launches and galas for 480 guests. Given its prime location, the hotel also provides outdoor spaces with scenic views of the Bay, ideal for cocktail receptions, formal banquets requiring an equally stunning backdrop.
Quickly becoming a sought-after destination in its own right for high-end MICE offerings, the Chedi Luštica Bay located in the pristine Lustica Bay area of Montenegro combines world-class facilities with picturesque views of the Adriatic coastline. The meeting rooms are designed with sleek, contemporary interiors, and feature advanced audio technology. The rooms are also customisable to cater for different event requirements and the ornate ballroom is also available for larger gatherings of up to 170 guests. The natural surrounds also offer ample opportunities for team building and incentives in the hills or on the water.
For smaller and more intimate events without sacrificing the wow factor, nestled at the entrance to Boka Bay, is Mamula Island. A premier five-star luxury resort in Montenegro that was meticulously restored to its 19th-century fortress charm, it harmoniously blends natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, setting it apart as one of the best Montenegro luxury hotels. Featuring 32 elegant rooms and suites, SPA, private beach, pools, and restaurants and bars, and the Historical and Memorial Gallery, the hotel can be completely reserved and was recently included in the Conde Nast Hot 100 list for 2024, the best hotels in the world, as well as Sky Suites being awarded the AHEAD Award for Europe as Best Suites for 2023.
Diverse Incentive Experiences
Montenegro’s diverse landscape offers endless possibilities for incentive travel, ensuring memorable experiences that both motivate and reward. The Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides a stunning backdrop for team-building activities such as sailing regattas and guided tours of ancient towns such as Kotor and Perast. The nearby Lovćen National Park, with its dramatic peaks and deep canyons, is perfect for adventure enthusiasts, offering activities such as hiking, zip-lining, and off-road safaris.
For those seeking relaxation and luxury, the Adriatic coastline features numerous high-end resorts and spas, such as the One and Only Portonovi. Here visitors can unwind with bespoke wellness treatments, gourmet dining, and private beach access. At Mamula Island Hotel, the luxury spa features a range of treatments, including signature massages, facial therapies, and body scrubs, all designed to relax and revitalize. With stunning 360 views of the Adriatic Sea, the spa’s serene setting enhances the overall experience, offering both indoor and outdoor spaces for relaxation, including Finnish and herbal saunas, ritual rooms and an aqua flotation zone.
Rich Cultural Heritage
Montenegro’s history and diverse influences are reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions providing a unique experience for visitors. The Old Town of Kotor provides the perfect backdrop for a formal dinner, alternatively treat the delegates to a traditional Montenegrin feast in a rustic konoba (tavern) featuring local specialties like Njeguški pršut (smoked prosciutto) and fresh seafood.
Cultural excursions can also be integrated into event programs. Take delegates on a guided tour of Cetinje, the old royal capital, where they can visit the former royal palace and the Monastery of Cetinje. Alternatively, arrange a boat trip on Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, where attendees can explore mediaeval monasteries and enjoy birdwatching in one of Europe’s most important wetlands that also shares its waters with Albania via an invisible water border.
In Durmitor National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage site the country lays claim to, rafting and hiking adventures are on offer amidst its rugged, unspoiled beauty, in addition to rafting on the Tara River. Known as the “Tear of Europe” for its crystal-clear waters, the river provides an exhilarating experience navigating through deep canyons, lush forests, and breath taking landscapes. For those groups who prefer land exploration, hiking in Durmitor guides visitors through dramatic mountain terrains, alpine meadows, and past glacial lakes, offering some of the best trekking routes in the Balkans.
For further information on travel in Montenegro, visit www.montenegro.travel.