The introduction of visa requirements for Turkish citizens has led to a significant decline in air traffic and tourism in Montenegro, according to industry leaders. Orhan Hodžić, President of Oki Air, highlighted that the number of passengers traveling between Turkey and Montenegro has noticeably dropped since the new regulations took effect on October 30, 2023. This decline is echoed by observations from Montenegro Airports, which reported a decrease in passenger traffic on flights from Turkey, although no cancellations of routes have been announced so far.
Turkey, being the second most important market for Montenegrin airports, could face serious repercussions if the visa regime persists or if reciprocal measures are enacted by Ankara. The impact of this decision is already evident in the tourism sector, as noted by Žarko Radulović, President of the Montenegrin Tourism Association. He indicated that hotel bookings from Turkey began to be canceled immediately after the Montenegrin government temporarily suspended the visa-free regime.
Negative Consequences for Air Travel
Hodžić expressed concerns in an interview for Pobjeda, stating that the visa requirement for Turkish citizens is already causing adverse effects on tourism and air traffic. He emphasized that all three airlines operating between the two countries had planned a substantial number of flights due to high passenger interest in the upcoming period.
“Although flights are still operating, there is a clear decrease in the number of passengers, indicating reduced interest due to the introduction of visas and additional procedures,” Hodžić said. Montenegro is the only country in the region to implement such a visa requirement for Turkish citizens. If the current trend continues, it may lead to a reduction in flights, further straining economic cooperation and jeopardizing both the winter and summer tourist seasons.
Hodžić warned that this situation could push travelers to seek alternatives in other markets. He noted that while this measure does not currently affect Montenegrins traveling to Turkey, any potential reciprocity from Turkey could have severe long-term consequences for tourism, business relations, education, and freedom of movement between the two nations.
“It is essential for both sides to find a reasonable and cooperative solution that does not harm tourism, the economy, or the citizens, as the entire community suffers in such situations,” he added.
Impact on Tourist Arrivals
According to Montenegro Airports, while there have been no announced flight cancellations as of the visa implementation, a reduction in passenger numbers has been observed. The statistics reveal that from the date the visa requirement was enacted, the average number of passengers arriving from Istanbul has dropped significantly from between 120 and 150 per flight to fewer than 40.
Radulović described the damage caused by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s decision to revoke the visa-free regime as substantial, though the extent of the impact remains difficult to quantify at this early stage. He highlighted a trend of cancellations among tourists who had planned to visit Montenegro, particularly following the visa announcement.
“We have had a group cancel mid-November and individual guests who booked through platforms like Booking.com are also canceling their trips,” Radulović noted. He criticized the decision to eliminate the visa-free regime as hasty, stating that not all aspects were considered.
“This is a very dangerous situation, as the primary incentive we have to attract visitors is the visa-free access,” he emphasized.
Despite the challenges, Radulović mentioned that there is still hope among those who canceled reservations. “We offered to refund those who canceled their bookings, yet none of them accepted. They said, ‘Keep it, and we will see what happens in the near future,’ indicating they have not given up on us and hope this situation will not last long,” he said, acknowledging the significant damage to the tourism sector.
Radulović further shared insights regarding his ongoing communications with Turkish partners, noting their understanding and tolerance during this challenging period. “They express regret for the situation, emphasizing that it is not the Turkish people’s fault but rather the actions of individuals,” he explained. “They genuinely care for us and recognize our value as a partner.”
In light of these developments, the Montenegrin government has temporarily suspended the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens following a violent incident in the Zabjelo neighborhood of Podgorica, involving an alleged attack by individuals suspected to be Turkish and Azerbaijani nationals. This decision has led to increased tensions within society and calls for stricter immigration policies.
