Coordination Body for Inspection Oversight and Chamber of Economy hold a meeting

At the initiative of the Chair of the Coordination Body for Harmonisation and Monitoring of Inspection Oversight and Minister in the Government of Montenegro, Milutin Butorović, a working meeting was held on 25 March 2026 at the premises of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro. The meeting was attended by President of the Chamber Nina Drakić, Deputy Chair of the Tourism and Hospitality Association Board Luka Bulatović, Secretary of the Tourism and Hospitality Association Board Sanja Marković, Secretary of the Trade Association Board Milica Lazarević, Secretary of the Transport Association Board Aleksandar Mitrović, expert adviser to the Chair of the Coordination Body Andrej Vučeković, and Chair of the Working Group for the preparation of the summer tourist season Mijomir Tapušković.

The main topic of discussion was improving communication between business entities and the competent inspection services within the framework of the Coordination Body, with a particular focus on preparations for the upcoming summer tourist season through the exchange of experiences regarding the implementation of regulations supervised by the integrated inspection services. The Chair of the Coordination Body, Milutin Butorović, emphasised that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure optimal conditions for the successful implementation of the season, adding that, in line with the principles of transparency, businesses would have full access to guidance in order to ensure equal rights for all market participants.

On that occasion, the Action Plan for the preparation and monitoring of the 2026 summer tourist season was presented. The Action Plan will be implemented in two phases: pre-season and peak season. Pre-season activities began on 21 March 2026, following the conclusion of the Winter Season Working Group’s mandate and the establishment of a Working Group for the preparation and monitoring of the summer tourist season. During this phase, mobile inspection teams will conduct controls during the Labour Day and Statehood Day holidays, as well as on working and non-working days in municipalities where a need is identified based on risk analysis. During the peak tourist season, from 1 July to 15 September, joint inspections will be carried out continuously in five shifts. Inspectors will be stationed in seven municipalities: Ulcinj, Bar, Budva, Kotor, Herceg Novi, Žabljak, and Kolašin. Teams based in Kotor will also cover Tivat, while teams from Žabljak and Kolašin will conduct oversight across all northern municipalities of Montenegro.

Representatives of the Chamber of Economy pointed out that a significant number of trade and service activities, as well as entities engaged in online sales, operate without proper registration. At the same time, unregistered accommodation facilities further distort equal market conditions and result in significant losses to the state budget. The Chamber also highlighted administrative barriers, particularly regarding complex procedures for employing foreign workers engaged during the season.

The participants of the meeting reached full agreement on the importance of continued dialogue and agreed on the implementation of the Action Plan through coordinated inspections across all regions of Montenegro, with a primary focus on combating unfair competition, removing barriers, and strengthening transparency, in order for the Chamber of Economy and the Coordination Body to jointly contribute to a stable business environment and a successful tourist season.