Minister Gvozdenović: Montenegro needs to develop mechanisms towards becoming carbon neutral destination

Montenegro needs to develop different mechanisms towards becoming a carbon neutral destination, stated Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Branimir Gvozdenović at the conference titled "Investing in Tourism for an Inclusive Future: Challenges and Opportunities", sponsored by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan.

"Creating innovative partnerships and supporting projects that will provide emission reductions are aimed at developing Montenegro as a carbon neutral destination that offers unique experience to tourists.

It is, therefore, necessary to work on all fronts - from adapting existing and to introducing new legal solutions, innovative solutions in spatial planning based on the principles of sustainable, low-carbon development, creating mechanisms of financial support to businesses that will facilitate and motivate them to “green“ their businesses, through programmes of raising awareness of the entire population,“ said Minister Gvozdenović.

His meeting with UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai confirmed that activities toward human resources capacity building of the Ministry will be continued. Mr Rifai congratulated Montenegro on its rapid and innovative development.

Minister Gvozdenović also met with Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan, with whom he exchanged experience on the promotion of sustainable tourism development in the two countries.

His meeting with representatives of the EBRD agreed on the organisation of a meeting with financial institutions in order to define the development project of building 76 hotels.

Participation in the conference is important in terms of the presentation of sustainable development of the tourism sector, and Minister Gvozdenović took the opportunity to promote Montenegro and projects related to sustainable development.

The aim of the conference is to initiate discussion on major issues concerning funding and the role of tourism as a model for inclusive growth, including youth employment and gender equality issues, as well as issues of energy efficiency.

Montenegro has been a UNWTO member since 2007. In September 2015, Montenegro became Vice Chairman of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe and is actively involved in numerous UNWTO activities.