The Ministry of Tourism implements the campaign "Rural, sustainable, household!" and invites registered rural households to apply for the award competition, which is realized in four categories:
1. "The Best Farmhouse"
2. "The best rural household in Katun"
3. "The Best Country Housewife"
4. "Best Young Country Housekeeper"/"Best Young Country Housewife".
"The goal of the contest, which has acquired the character of a traditional one, is an additional incentive for the development of rural tourism, which is one of the most important components of the tourist offer of Montenegro, but also support and motivation for young people to stay in the countryside," the Ministry points out.
They added that rural tourism is an important factor in the tourism development of Montenegro, as well as the development of global tourism as a whole.
"It is a driver of sustainable development and an instrument of revitalization of rural areas. It is also a factor in improving the market orientation and competitiveness of rural areas in the demanding tourist market", the announcement states.
The Ministry stated that, considering that rural areas are faced with numerous challenges, primarily depopulation, their goal is to further encourage the development of rural tourism, which is one of the most important components of integral and sustainable tourism development, through this award competition. development of villages and rural areas.
"It is especially important to support rural households and housewives and hosts in them, as the carriers of this important tourist segment," the statement added.
The Ministry has determined the total prize fund for this Competition in the amount of €15,000.Cash prizes by category are as follows:
I category: "Best rural household"
1st prize: €2,000.00
2nd prize: €1,500.00
3rd prize: €1,000.00
In the "Best Rural Household" category, we choose rural households that reflect and promote the culture and historical heritage of the area, preserve tradition and numerous rural values such as: traditional architecture, ambiance, ethnology, gastronomy (where a variety of food, drinks and beverages are offered, mostly from our own production), old crafts, souvenirs, autochthonous and ecological products, with the offer of additional contents and activities for a pleasant stay of guests.
II category: "The best rural household in Katun"
1st prize: €2,000.00
2nd prize: €1,500.00
3rd prize: €1,000.00
In the category "The best rural household in Katun", we select rural households that provide guests with an atmosphere in facilities that are built in an authentic style, with a traditionally decorated exterior and interior, where the emphasis is on ambience, ethnology, natural materials in a unique natural environment, gastronomy ( in which a variety of food, drinks and beverages are offered, mostly from our own production), with the offer of additional contents and activities for a pleasant stay of guests.
III category: "The best village housewife"
1st prize: €1,500.00
2nd prize: €1,000.00
3rd prize: €500.00
In the "Best Country Housekeeper" category, we choose women/activists who, with their efforts and dedication, improve the quality of services and the variety of offers in the country house, providing guests with an authentic experience, rest and recreation. With their hard work and dedication, they represent a role model in the preservation of tradition and development of rural tourism. Their activities include the preparation and serving of traditional dishes and drinks made from local products while preserving old recipes, creating an authentic ambience through decoration, local products and organizing content, preserving cultural heritage and customs through handicrafts, costumes and folklore, as well as innovative approaches that combine tradition with the modern needs of tourists. Special importance is attached to the ecological approach and sustainability, through the use of organic foods, recycling and preservation of natural resources.
IV category: "Best young village host"/"Best young village host"
1st prize: €1,500.00
2nd prize: €1,000.00
3rd prize: €500.00
In the category "Best young village host"/"Best young village host" men and women up to 40 years of age are awarded who, with their hard work, dedication and innovative approaches, improve the quality of services and the variety of offers in rural households, providing guests with an authentic vacation and recreation experience. Their activities include the preparation and serving of hot and cold dishes and drinks made from domestic products while preserving old recipes, creating an authentic atmosphere through decoration, local products and organizing content, as well as preserving cultural heritage and customs through handicrafts and crafts, costumes and folklore. Special emphasis is placed on innovations that combine tradition with the modern needs of tourists, as well as on sustainability through an ecological approach, the use of organic foods, recycling and conservation of natural resources.
To participate in the prize competition, the following documentation must be submitted:
a) Decision on approval for the performance of catering activities of the rural household type;
b) Decision on the categorization of the rural household;
c) Evidence issued by the competent authority on the achieved turnover (number of overnight stays) for ten months of the current year;
d) Confirmation from the Tax Administration that the rural household is registered as an obligee of fiscalization and that the transaction is recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Fiscalization in the Transaction of Products and Services (request confirmation by email: efiskalizacija@tax.gov.me)
e) Certificate of organic production or other certificates, awards, recognitions, if they have them;
f) Detailed description of the household:
- What branch of agriculture does the household deal with (farming, fruit growing, viticulture, vegetable growing, animal husbandry, etc.);
- Number of household members;
- Assortment of food, drinks and beverages from our own production (eg jams, liqueurs, homemade juices, ajvar, etc.);
- Additional contents / activities for recreation;
- State if some of the renewable energy sources and activities related to ecological and sustainable practices are used;
- List traditional activities, eg handicrafts, crafts, etc.;
- Specify the promotion channels, under which name the promotion is (eg FB, Instagram, etc.).
g) Submit a minimum of 5 representative photos of the rural household (exterior and interior of the building, additional contents and products, etc.).
Items a, b, c, d, e and f refer to all four categories;
For category IV, a copy of the identity card must be submitted.
The right to participate is for rural households that have been categorized by the date of publication of the award competition.
Prize winners from previous years do not have the right to participate in the prize competition.
The deadline for submitting applications is December 9, 2024, until 2:00 p.m.
The application with accompanying documentation must be submitted to the archive or by mail to the address:
Ministry of Tourism
Award competition "We choose the best in rural tourism"
IV Proleterska no. 19
81000 Podgorica
