Less than two months after detecting its first infection, Montenegro is the first country in Europe to declare itself coronavirus-free, a success story the tiny country hopes will lure tourists to its dazzling Adriatic coast this summer.For weeks hotel staff have been raking empty beaches as the pandemic kept away visitors who would normally be arriving by plane, cruise ship and car this time of year.But finally, there is a sliver of hope after Montenegro announced it no longer has any active cases of COVID-19.Tourism operators have already seized the opportunity to brand Montenegro as "Europe's First COVID-19 Free Country" in videos promoting its stunning natural beauty, with beaches snaking along the south and rugged mountains in the north.In picturesque Kotor, a medieval walled city nestled in a mountain-ringed bay, locals have been spared the virus entirely, with no known cases reported.While tour agencies are still expecting a tough season, there is hope this sterling health record will soften the blow on an industry that accounts for more than a fifth of GDP and 19 percent of the workforce. "They now are looking for a destination where people feel safe, respect some rules and where they can be assured that (the host) will not allow anything bad to happen to them," she added.Montenegro's size has certainly been of aid in its fight against the virus: the country is one of the smallest in the world with only about 630,000 people.Over the past 10 weeks it has recorded around 300 infections and nine deaths from COVID-19.Since May 5, there have been no new domestic cases. "Let me take off my mask," Prime Minister Dusko Markovic said triumphantly on Monday after health authorities announced that all active cases had been cleared.Borders will now open in early June, officially kicking off the holiday season.But arrivals will nevertheless fall far below the 2.6 million recorded last year, with forecasts of up to a 70 percent drop in tourism turnover as well.To prevent any backsliding on the health front, Montenegro will only allow visitors from countries that have kept coronavirus cases low at under 25 patients per 100,000 people.That means travellers from top markets such as the hard-hit UK and Russia are unlikely to make it this summer, a blow to luxury destinations like Porto Montenegro.While tourists from the region made up a third of visitors last year, this summer they are expected to be the core clientele.

Less than two months after detecting its first infection, Montenegro is the first country in Europe to declare itself coronavirus-free, a success story the tiny country hopes will lure tourists to its dazzling Adriatic coast this summer.For weeks hotel staff have been raking empty beaches as the pandemic kept away visitors who would normally be arriving by plane, cruise ship and car this time of year.But finally, there is a sliver of hope after Montenegro announced it no longer has any active cases of COVID-19.Tourism operators have already seized the opportunity to brand Montenegro as "Europe's First COVID-19 Free Country" in videos promoting its stunning natural beauty, with beaches snaking along the south and rugged mountains in the north.In picturesque Kotor, a medieval walled city nestled in a mountain-ringed bay, locals have been spared the virus entirely, with no known cases reported.While tour agencies are still expecting a tough season, there is hope this sterling health record will soften the blow on an industry that accounts for more than a fifth of GDP and 19 percent of the workforce.
Het coronavirus is het onderwerp van gesprek, niet gek ook want het heeft een enorm grote invloed op ons dagelijks leven. "Safety is something people are looking at the most," said Ana Nives Radovic, director of the local tourism organisation in Kotor. But finally, there is a sliver of hope after Montenegro announced it no longer has any active cases of COVID-19. "They now are looking for a destination where people feel safe, respect some rules and where they can be assured that (the host) will not allow anything bad to happen to them," she added.Montenegro's size has certainly been of aid in its fight against the virus: the country is one of the smallest in the world with only about 630,000 people.Over the past 10 weeks it has recorded around 300 infections and nine deaths from COVID-19.Since May 5, there have been no new domestic cases. Shop your essentials from Shopee Mart, free delivery with minimum spendShop top-rated healthy products with discount shipping and customer rewards "We have no expectations. Camping and COVID-19: Everything you need to know about camping this summer. "We have no expectations. Others hope socially-distanced options like boating holidays, camping, ... Montenegro Woos Tourists To Europe's 'Corona-free' Corner.
If anything happens it will be a gift," the 34-year-old told AFP. Less than two months after detecting its first infection, Montenegro is the first country in Europe to declare itself coronavirus-free, a success story the tiny country hopes will lure tourists to its dazzling Adriatic coast this summer. "Let me take off my mask," Prime Minister Dusko Markovic said triumphantly on Monday after health authorities announced that all active cases had been cleared.Borders will now open in early June, officially kicking off the holiday season.But arrivals will nevertheless fall far below the 2.6 million recorded last year, with forecasts of up to a 70 percent drop in tourism turnover as well.To prevent any backsliding on the health front, Montenegro will only allow visitors from countries that have kept coronavirus cases low at under 25 patients per 100,000 people.That means travellers from top markets such as the hard-hit UK and Russia are unlikely to make it this summer, a blow to luxury destinations like Porto Montenegro.While tourists from the region made up a third of visitors last year, this summer they are expected to be the core clientele.