16.07.2026, 20:52
Russians' tourism to Montenegro after the abolition of visa-free travel was appreciated
Source: OREANDA-NEWS
OREANDA-NEWS The discussion about visas in Montenegro will provoke an outflow of 5-6 percent of Russian tourists, even without the actual abolition of visa-free travel. This is how Russians assessed tourism to the Balkan country in an interview withГазетой.ги " expert of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT) Mikhail Abasov.
According to the representative of the PCT, the tourist flow to Montenegro in the first half of 2026 decreased by 3-4 percent compared to the same period last year. Such indicators could be a reaction to only one discussion of the introduction of a visa regime with Russia. "Russians, accustomed to flexible travel conditions, are quickly reorienting to more predictable and friendly destinations, where tourist flows are measured in the millions, and there are no administrative barriers," Abasov said.
He clarified that after the abolition of visa-free travel, Montenegro's inbound tourism will suffer first of all, and not Russian tourists. Thus, in 2025, Russians ranked second in the number of foreign overnight stays in the country on the Balkan Peninsula, accounting for 16.4 percent of the total. "The figures confirm that the Russian segment is noticeable for Montenegro, but it is not critical on a global scale. In January–August 2025, more than 123 thousand arrivals from Russia were recorded, which is 6.3 percent more than in the same period of 2024. On the scale of the entire Russian outbound tourism, Montenegro remains a niche destination with volumes of hundreds of thousands rather than millions of trips," the travel expert added.
Earlier it became known that Montenegro plans to introduce visas for Russians and Belarusians from October 1, 2026. It is clarified that the official decision has not yet been made, but the country's authorities are discussing the issue.
According to the representative of the PCT, the tourist flow to Montenegro in the first half of 2026 decreased by 3-4 percent compared to the same period last year. Such indicators could be a reaction to only one discussion of the introduction of a visa regime with Russia. "Russians, accustomed to flexible travel conditions, are quickly reorienting to more predictable and friendly destinations, where tourist flows are measured in the millions, and there are no administrative barriers," Abasov said.
He clarified that after the abolition of visa-free travel, Montenegro's inbound tourism will suffer first of all, and not Russian tourists. Thus, in 2025, Russians ranked second in the number of foreign overnight stays in the country on the Balkan Peninsula, accounting for 16.4 percent of the total. "The figures confirm that the Russian segment is noticeable for Montenegro, but it is not critical on a global scale. In January–August 2025, more than 123 thousand arrivals from Russia were recorded, which is 6.3 percent more than in the same period of 2024. On the scale of the entire Russian outbound tourism, Montenegro remains a niche destination with volumes of hundreds of thousands rather than millions of trips," the travel expert added.
Earlier it became known that Montenegro plans to introduce visas for Russians and Belarusians from October 1, 2026. It is clarified that the official decision has not yet been made, but the country's authorities are discussing the issue.
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