You may have heard that Montenegro is an ideal destination for fans of wild beauty. This small but beautiful Western Balkan country is not only rich in nature, but also has deep historical roots.
Tourists visiting Montenegro are immediately impressed by the country’s air quality, water cleanliness, and almost unspoiled landscapes and seascapes. Nature, culture, tradition and history form an interesting mix to bring about an authentic experience to visitors and locals alike.
Each town in Montenegro tells a different story.
Ulcinj used to be a pirate town but today represents a tourist haven, while Bar is a town rich in historic monuments, but with a new and modern city center, port, marina and hotels.
Budva, on the other hand, represents the tourist metropolis of Montenegro, attracting a younger population of tourists ready for beach parties and film and music festivals. Apart from the natural beauty of its numerous islands and beaches, Budva is rich in historic monuments as well.
Tivat is a beautiful, calm town, Herceg Novi is an irresistible tourist town, rich in greenery and flowers, with cascading stairs that lead to the sea and beautiful historic monuments, and Kotor, a town of traders and famous seamen, is now protected by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. The carnivals and feasts organised here give an additional charm to the most beautiful city on the Montenegrin coast.
When you're in Montenegro, you can choose to walk, ride, swim or ski across changing landscapes. You can wander through traditional coastal villages. Or indulge in local delicacies. Or delve into the Montenegro's rich history and ancient heritage. Whatever you choose to do, it's like you won't regret the time you've spent here.
But these immense riches of Montenegro are only one side of the story.
After all, any tourist destination can be harmed by increased levels of tourism activity. If these places are damaged or destroyed, they will no longer be available or attractive to future generations.
Did you know that an average tourist visiting Montenegro emits 6,5kg of carbon-dioxide equivalent per day? We call that their carbon footprint.
That’s why UNDP in Montenegro has developed a web-based carbon calculator which enables tourists to measure the environmental impact of their stay and of transport (land/sea/air) they use. Eco-sensitive tourists can get informed about the consequences of their actions, which helps them take steps towards reducing their carbon footprint while on holiday.
When you calculate and then compensate your emissions, you also become a member of the Low Carbon Montenegro Movement, helping profile the country as a green destination and joining global climate action.
What else is UNDP doing to help transition Montenegro to carbon-neutral tourism?
With support from the GEF, we are:
Yes, Montenegro's potential for developing carbon-neutral tourism is immense. It is a kind of tourism appealing to those visitors seeking to minimise the carbon footprint of their travel - environmentally conscious tourists who are drawn to locations offering natural wild beauty experiences.
We've done our part. Now there's only one thing missing: you!
Towards Carbon Neutral Tourism in Montenegro is a GEF funded project implemented by UNDP in Montenegro and the Ministry for Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro.