Recently propelled into the public eye via the
medium of film, Montenegro triggers images of stunning lakes,
captivating coastlines and a ‘Bondesque’ gracefulness and style. It
may be one of the smallest countries in Europe, but it contains
some of the most bewitchingly stunning scenery: vertiginous
mountains skirting around plunging, dark lakes; elegant,
pale-walled cities that are national heritage sites, and mile upon
mile of golden beach arching alongside glossy, vibrant seas.
In the 1960s and ‘70s, Montenegro’s upmarket
Sveti Stefan Resort exerted a magnetic attraction over the rich and
famous. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are said to have
disturbed other guests with their arguing, Sofia Loren gave the
chef lessons in how to cook pasta and Montenegro’s status as a
popular tourist destination grew and grew. The war in the former
Yugoslavia however had a detrimental affect on this industry and
although Montenegro itself never saw fighting, visitor numbers
plummeted and the tourism industry suffered. Only in the last few
years has tourism in Montenegro returned to anything like its
pre-war supremacy with 2007 being particularly successful
generating revenues of over $1 bn. Since its
split from Serbia and ensuing independence in 2006, the country has
once again begun to attract the well-heeled visitors that
frequented its shores during the 1960s and 1970s, and is now being
dubbed as ‘the next Monaco’.
The nature of the market also seems to be
changing. Traditionally a favourite with Italians, Germans and
Russians, the British and Americans are now falling for
Montenegro’s charm and arriving in droves. English is widely
spoken, and the beach resorts are being redesigned to attract
wealthy higher-end tourism comparable to that in Croatia and
Italy.
Still in this Chapter
Is this is good place to Buy?
Which type of Property should you go for?
Hotspots
The Purchase Process
Mortgages
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