The development of rural tourism has great potential for diversifying the rural economies of Montenegro and Kosovo*. This project seeks to strengthen the sustainable development of the targeted cross-border region by unlocking shared tourism assets grounded in natural and cultural heritage.

The project activities will contribute to the quality and diversity of services, as well as to the establishment and promotion of their joint tourism offer. This project will help develop new and enhance the existing holiday packages and improve the tourism infrastructure in the cross-border area. The project team has already successfully carried out interviews with 55 local tourism providers in order to identify the best possibilities for the development of all tourism segments.

Also, this project aims to strengthen cooperation between mountain rescue services and increase the safety of visitors of Prokletije National Park in Montenegro and Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in Kosovo. Furthermore, a total of 50 km of hiking trails will be renewed and assessed for safety. Also, the project will help establish local mountain rescue services and refurbish the mountain rescue centre. In short, the project is expected to result in an improved active tourism product and greater safety of tourists in the area of Prokletije.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.