A delegation of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro spent the past few days on a study visit to the Austrian region of Tyrol, with the aim of learning about good practices in the integrated development of tourism and the local economy. The visit placed special focus on linking health, eco, and rural tourism with organic agricultural production and healthy lifestyles, which represents an important development perspective for municipalities in Montenegro.
The delegation included Genci Nimanbegu, mayor of the Municipality of Ulcinj; Vida Ivanović, president of the Municipal Assembly of Berane; Slobodan Delić, mayor of the Municipality of Plužine; Radoš Žugić, mayor of the Municipality of Žabljak; Rahman Husović, mayor of the Municipality of Rožaje; Nihad Canović, mayor of the Municipality of Plav; Mišela Manojlović, secretary general of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro; and Milica Radojičić, assistant secretary general of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro.
They first visited the Municipality of Alpbach and the CCA Congress Centre, as an example of successfully developed year-round tourism. The diverse tourism offer is based on the creation of events and activities, so instead of speaking about a tourist season, they speak about a tourist year. Today, Alpbach records more than half a million overnight stays annually, and its tourism development is based on a model that brings direct benefits exclusively to the local population. Local residents have access to primary and secondary schools, cultural facilities, excellent transport infrastructure — especially railway connections — and all other conditions necessary for a high quality of life. As a result, young people do not move to larger cities, and these policies have also prevented depopulation. It was particularly emphasized that the municipality does not allow the entry of large hotel chains, in order to preserve the authenticity of the destination and enable local hosts, through accommodation services, agricultural products, and other services, to remain the key drivers of the tourism offer and the community’s economic development.
The second day of the visit was dedicated to the Zillertal Valley and its towns of Ginzling and Mayrhofen. There, the delegation members learned about models of local governance, sustainable development, and cooperation between municipalities, businesses, and citizens. On that occasion, the delegation also met with the Mayor of Fügen and Vice President of the Tyrolean Parliament Dominik Mainusch.
During their stay in Mayrhofen, the delegation was introduced to the work of the Zillertal Spatial Planning Association, which coordinates the development of all 25 municipalities in the valley, with a strong focus on preserving space, controlled tourism development, and the quality of life of the local population. The Association’s Director, Tekla Hauser, particularly emphasized that key decisions related to spatial planning are made through continuous consultations with citizens, local communities, and businesses, contributing to greater public trust and the long-term sustainable development of the region. It was also highlighted that institutions and organizations in Tyrol place exceptional importance on cooperation at all levels, which represents one of the key foundations of their successful and sustainable development.
The delegation also met with the Director of the Mayrhofen Tourism Association, Andreas Lackner, who presented a tourism management model based on the active involvement of the local population in creating the tourism offer. Special emphasis was placed on the fact that tourism development in Tyrol is not aimed solely at increasing the number of visitors, but primarily at preserving the quality of life of citizens, protecting natural resources, and ensuring the balanced development of the local economy.
The leaders of Montenegrin municipalities also visited the Visitor Centre of the Zillertal Alps Nature Park, where they spoke with Director Willi Zeifert about models for the valorisation of natural resources in line with the highest European standards. They also visited the second-largest dairy in the region, which organizes the purchase of milk from local farmers and produces high-quality dairy products. The state subsidizes and protects local production and market placement in relation to imported industrial products.
