AGP Executive Report

Tourism Spotlight: Montenegro hosts the World Travel Awards Europe Gala at Kotor Bay’s Hyatt Regency on 17 October, the awards’ first ceremony in the country and a chance to showcase its Adriatic setting to tourism leaders. Industry Events: The country will welcome the UK travel industry’s ABTA Travel Convention in 2027, also at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay. Cruise Connections: Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for two inaugural 2027 Mediterranean voyages aboard Norwegian Aura, both calling at Bar. Air Links: easyJet’s new summer 2027 routes include flights from Birmingham and Edinburgh to Tivat. Growing Interest: Tivat and Podgorica both made Skyscanner’s list of the world’s fastest-rising destinations by travel searches, ranking third and ninth respectively.

Tourism Spotlight: Montenegro hosts the World Travel Awards Europe Gala at Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort on 17 October — the awards’ first ceremony in the country. Air Links: easyJet is adding summer 2027 flights from Birmingham and Edinburgh to Tivat, expanding UK access to the coast. Cruise News: Norwegian Aura’s inaugural 2027 Mediterranean voyages will call at Bar, while a 2027 Fred. Olsen cruise from Liverpool includes Kotor. Industry Events: Montenegro will welcome the UK travel industry’s ABTA Travel Convention in 2027. Growing Interest: Skyscanner ranked Tivat third and Podgorica ninth among the world’s fastest-rising destinations for travel searches.

Air Links: easyJet has added summer 2027 flights from Birmingham and Edinburgh to Tivat, expanding UK connections to Montenegro. Cruise Calls: Norwegian Aura’s inaugural Mediterranean voyages in May 2027 include Bar; Fred. Olsen’s 26-night Adriatic cruise from Liverpool also features Kotor and Bar. Industry Spotlight: Montenegro will host ABTA’s Travel Convention on Oct. 4–6, 2027, at Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay, with delegates arriving via Tivat. Rising Interest: Skyscanner ranked Tivat third and Podgorica ninth among the world’s fastest-rising travel-search destinations. Travel Advice: Qatar lists Montenegrin citizens as eligible for a paid visa on arrival, costing QAR 100.

Tourism Industry: Montenegro will host ABTA’s Travel Convention for the first time, from October 4–6, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay. The event is expected to bring UK travel leaders to the Adriatic coast, with delegates flying into Tivat. Cruise Tourism: Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for two inaugural Norwegian Aura sailings in May 2027, both calling at Bar. Travel Access: Russia says Montenegrin citizens will need visas from November 1, following Montenegro’s move to require visas for Russian visitors. Destination Demand: Tivat ranked third and Podgorica ninth among Skyscanner’s fastest-rising destinations for travel searches worldwide. Tourism Partnerships: Montenegro and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to develop joint routes, exchange expertise and promote travel between the countries.

Global Search Buzz: Tivat ranked third and Podgorica ninth among Skyscanner’s fastest-rising travel destinations, putting two Montenegrin cities in the worldwide top 10. Industry Spotlight: Montenegro will host ABTA’s 2027 Travel Convention in Kotor Bay, with delegates expected to arrive via Tivat. Visitor Access: From November 1, Montenegrin citizens will need visas to enter Russia, following Podgorica’s move to require visas for Russian visitors—a change that could affect travel flows. Cruise Connections: Norwegian Aura’s new May 2027 Mediterranean sailings will call at Bar, bringing visitors on routes between Italy, Croatia and Greece. Tourism Partnerships: Montenegro and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to develop joint routes, train hospitality workers and promote each other’s tourism offerings.

Tourism Partnerships: Montenegro and Kyrgyzstan signed a tourism cooperation agreement on Oct. 13, aiming to develop joint routes, increase visitor flows, train hospitality staff and attract investment. Cruise Tourism: Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for two May 2027 sailings aboard its new Norwegian Aura. Both call at Bar, giving Montenegro a place on nine- and 10-day Mediterranean itineraries between Italy, Croatia and Greece. Hotel Investment: Iberostar reported a 7% rise in global sales and said its investment programme includes the opening of its fourth hotel in Montenegro.

Hotel Investment: Iberostar reported 7% global sales growth and said its expansion plan includes opening its fourth hotel in Montenegro. Cruise Tourism: Norwegian Cruise Line added two May 2027 Mediterranean sailings aboard Norwegian Aura, both calling at Bar and linking Montenegro with ports in Italy, Croatia and Greece. Regional Tourism: At a tourism forum in Podgorica, Bulgaria proposed hosting a UN Tourism cultural-tourism forum in the Rose Valley in 2027 and outlined plans to speed up tourism investment approvals.

Tourism Ties: Armenian Ambassador Ashot Hovakimyan met Montenegro’s Tourism Minister Simonida Kordić and other officials to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation. No specific tourism agreements were announced. Cruise Calls: Norwegian Cruise Line added two Mediterranean voyages for its new Norwegian Aura in May 2027. Both itineraries include a stop in Bar, bringing the ship to Montenegro during its inaugural season.

Tourism Investment: At a tourism forum in Podgorica, Bulgaria’s tourism minister said the country is developing a fast-track process for tourism projects, aiming to simplify approvals and attract investment. Cruise Calls: Norwegian Cruise Line has added two Mediterranean voyages for its new Norwegian Aura, departing in May 2027. Both include a stop in Bar, Montenegro, alongside ports in Croatia and Greece. Travel Access: Montenegrin citizens with qualifying biometric passports can enter Denmark visa-free under existing rules.

Cruise Tourism: Norwegian Cruise Line has added two May 2027 Mediterranean voyages aboard Norwegian Aura, both calling at Bar. The 10-day sailing leaves Trieste on May 2 for Athens; a nine-day return itinerary departs Athens on May 12. Travel Rules: Montenegro is set to require visas for Russian citizens from Nov. 1 as it aligns its visa policy with EU standards, a change that will affect travel planning. Road Access: Montenegro has broken ground on a €237 million Budva bypass, a major road project with potential to improve access around the busy coastal town.

Cruise Connections: Norwegian Cruise Line has added two May 2027 Mediterranean voyages aboard Norwegian Aura, both calling at Bar. The 10-day Trieste–Athens sailing departs May 2; a nine-day Athens–Trieste trip follows on May 12. Cruise Season: Holland America has opened bookings for Oosterdam’s post-refit voyages, including an Oct. 31, 2027 cruise from Rome with a stop in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor. Visitor Rules: Montenegro is set to require visas for Russian citizens from Nov. 1, a change travelers should check before planning a visit.

Security and Travel: Montenegro expelled five Russian nationals, including Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk, after detaining them in Risan; authorities cited national security. Russian citizens will need visas to enter Montenegro from Nov. 1, a change with implications for visitors. Cruise News: Norwegian Cruise Line added two May 2027 sailings aboard Norwegian Aura, both calling at Bar. Holland America’s refurbished Oosterdam will also visit the Bay of Kotor on its first post-refit cruise, departing Rome in October 2027. Road Access: Work has begun on a €237 million bypass for Budva, a major coastal tourism hub.

Cruise Calls: Norwegian Cruise Line added two May 2027 Norwegian Aura sailings, both calling at Bar. Holland America’s refurbished Oosterdam will also visit the Bay of Kotor on a 10-day Adriatic cruise departing Rome on Oct. 31, 2027. Tourism Infrastructure: Montenegro has broken ground on a €237 million Budva bypass, a major project for access to the busy coastal town. Travel Access: Montenegrin citizens with qualifying biometric passports can enter Denmark visa-free under its existing rules.

Security and Entry Rules: Montenegro expelled five Russian nationals, including Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk, after detaining them in Risan on national and internal security grounds. The country is also set to require visas for Russian citizens from Nov. 1. Cruise Tourism: Norwegian Cruise Line added two May 2027 Norwegian Aura sailings, both calling at Bar: a 10-day trip from Trieste to Athens on May 2 and a nine-day sailing from Athens to Trieste on May 12. Bay of Kotor: Holland America opened bookings for Oosterdam’s first post-refurbishment voyage, a 10-day Rome-to-Trieste cruise departing Oct. 31, 2027, with a call in the Bay of Kotor.

Security: Montenegro expelled Russian Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk and four associates after detaining them in Risan on national security grounds; police said they seized drones and other equipment. Cruise News: Norwegian Cruise Line added two May 2027 Norwegian Aura sailings, both calling at Bar. Holland America’s first post-refurbishment Oosterdam voyage, on sale for October 2027, will visit the Bay of Kotor. Travel Demand: Podgorica searches by Indian travellers rose 237% in Skyscanner’s 2027 trends report, putting the city among its fastest-rising destinations. Roads: Montenegro has begun work on a €237 million Budva bypass, aimed at easing congestion in the busy coastal destination. Entry Rules: Montenegro citizens with biometric passports can enter Denmark and Italy without a visa under the countries’ published rules.

Security Developments: Montenegro detained Russian war blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk and four others in Risan over suspected destabilisation activities. The allegations are still being examined; Russian officials say they are seeking clarification. Russian visitors will also need visas from November 1. Travel Demand: Podgorica is gaining attention among Indian travellers, with searches up 237% for 2027, according to Skyscanner’s trends report. Coastal Infrastructure: Work has begun on a €237 million bypass around Budva, a major tourism hub where traffic congestion is a persistent challenge. Cruise Tourism: Holland America has opened bookings for five 2027 voyages aboard the refurbished Oosterdam. Its inaugural post-refit cruise will visit the Bay of Kotor on a 10-day Adriatic itinerary from Rome to Trieste.