Kotor, a UNESCO gem on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, struggles with overtourism
Kotor is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. The charming town today is struggling with an overwhelming influx of tourists.
The place is noted for its medieval architecture and gorgeous coastal views. Tourists from all over the world visit here on a daily basis by boats, yachts, and cruise ships.
This surge in tourism has left the locals concerned and prompted discussions about raising the 1 Euro (INR 91) fee that cruise ship passengers pay to enter the town. This fee, introduced to manage visitor impact, has not kept pace with the increasing number of cruise arrivals, which are expected to total around 500 this year.
More about Kotor
On a typical day, Kotor’s serene harbor can become a bustling hub of activity, as seen on a recent Wednesday when four cruise ships carrying nearly 5,000 tourists docked simultaneously. This influx has significantly impacted the town’s infrastructure and quality of life. The medieval streets, which once echoed with the sounds of history, now contend with heavy traffic and overcrowded conditions.
Kotor is not the first town struggling with this situation. A number of prime European cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Santorini have also experienced similar pressures, leading to protests and policy changes aimed at curbing the negative effects of excessive visitor numbers. In Venice, for instance, a 5 Euro (INR 458) charge was introduced in April to manage daytrippers during peak times, marking a pioneering effort to balance tourism with local life.
Growing number of tourists
The growing number of tourists in Kotor is driving up housing costs, making it increasingly difficult for residents to afford living in their own town. Locals support hiking the visitor fee. Moreover, the environmental impact of mass tourism is becoming evident. The local marine environment is under strain from the high volume of cruise ships.
Milica Mandic, a scientific advisor at Montenegro’s Institute of Marine Biology, stresses the need for environmental studies to assess the maximum sustainable load for the region’s marine ecosystem.
In response to these challenges, neighboring Croatia has implemented measures to control tourist numbers.
Dubrovnik, another UNESCO-listed site, introduced a “Respect The City” plan in 2017, capping the number of cruise visitors to 4,000 at any given time. This approach aims to protect the city’s cultural and environmental integrity while accommodating tourists more sustainably.