What happens when you swap Montenegro’s bustling coastline for towering mountains, deep canyons, and traditional mountain villages?
Last year, our second-year BSc Tourism students did exactly that during their International Field Project (IFP), travelling to Pljevlja and Žabljak in Northern Montenegro to explore how climate change is shaping tourism in a region with incredible potential.
Over several weeks, the students immersed themselves in local communities, interviewing hotel managers, tourism entrepreneurs, museum staff, NGOs, government representatives, and residents. Along the way, they discovered that Northern Montenegro offers something unique: breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, traditional mountain life, and adventure tourism centred around Durmitor National Park and the spectacular Tara Canyon.
But like many destinations around the world, the region is also facing growing climate challenges.
The research found that rising temperatures, changing snowfall patterns, pollution, and increasing pressure on local infrastructure are already affecting tourism. While Žabljak has developed a strong reputation as an adventure tourism destination, Pljevlja continues to struggle with limited tourism development, youth migration, and a lack of investment, despite its rich cultural and natural assets.
One thing became clear throughout the fieldwork: resilience isn’t only about adapting to climate change.
It’s also about supporting local communities, strengthening collaboration, and creating opportunities for destinations that are often overlooked.
For the students, the International Field Project offered much more than research. It meant hiking through stunning landscapes, meeting inspiring local people, and experiencing first-hand how tourism can both shape—and be shaped by—the places we visit.
Interested in discovering what the future of tourism in Northern Montenegro could look like? 📖 Read the full research paper HERE.
If you would prefer to watch a video instead. HERE you go!
