Archive for February 22nd, 2012
An Investigation Into The Possessions Associated With Russia’S Powerful Elite By Top Russian Daily Novaya Gazeta Has Led To The Claim That More Than 40% Associated With Property In Montenegro Is Of Russians, And That There Are Even Entire Towns Which Are 100% Russian Owned.
February 22nd, 2012
Complete villages and more than 40% of property in Montenegro are the property of Russians, according to an enquiry by Novaya Gazeta.
An enquiry into the possessions of Russia’s powerful top-notch by leading Russian daily Novaya Gazeta has led on to the claim that more than 40% of property in Montenegro is the property of Russians, and that there are even complete hamlets which are 100 pc Russian owned, according to a piece in Croatia’s Slobodna Dalmacija on January 8, 2012.
Russian Real Estate Invasion Of Montenegro
The paper claims the inquiry, in partnership with the Center for Prevention of Organized Crime and Corruption – a global organisation that brings together correspondents and researchers from Eastern Europe – pored over cadastral records at the Montenegrin Land Registry as an element of its research, and found proof of possession of multiple properties by the prominent Russians, including 150,000m2 of land on the engaging Lustica peninsula, which was once owned by former Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov.
Whatever the figures, there is not any rejecting the fact that the Russian real estate invasion of the tiny Balkan capital – population 620,000 – has left its mark, as large Russian-owned hostels like Hotel Wonderful in Budva became recent and outstanding additions to the tidal areas.
Russian Faculties, Russian Villages
The party resort of Budva, long a favorite as a summer resort from holiday-makers from Belgrade, seems to have attracted the Russians particularly. Known in some quarters as little Russia, Budva has opened its first Russian-language college, and spoken Russian can be heard on its streets and in its cafeterias across the year, even out of the traveller season. Complete hamlets,eg the Russian Village above the states most renowned attraction – Sveti Stefan – are owned by Russians.
The attractions of Montenegro to Russians are numerous . With no visa duty for entry, a stunning coastline and enticing Adriatic Sea, Montenegro represents a fascinating visitor destination a short flight from Moscow, and the number of charter flights into Tivat from varied parts of Russia are testament to its popularity. The undeniable fact that both nations share the Orthodox religion is also a cultural advantage.
Russian Interest In Tourism In Croatia
Figures released for the top season month of Aug 2011, as an example, disclose the precedence of the influence of Russian tourism. Montenegro recorded 455,185 arrivals in its pinnacle month, of which more than twenty p.c. were Russian, a figure that takes on real significance when nations of the previous Yugoslavia are taken out of the equation (Russians were the second largest visitors after Serbia – 27.9% – and before Bosnia and Hercegovina and Kosovo in 3rd and 4th) .The most engaging summer city for Russian in Croatia are : Split,Dubrovnik,Makarska, Trogir.
To the more well-heeled Russian, the relatively relaxed approach to urban planning has enabled construction in prime locations to happen, allows which would be difficult to obtain in neighbouring nations like Croatia for example. It is also a country with ECU hopes, where citizenship can be procured for investment of a cool half a million EU Bucks, with previous Thai P. M. Thaksin Shinawatra changed into a Montenegrin voter in early 2010, for example.
The contrast to the Russian influence on Montenegro and its Catholic neighbour Croatia is bleak. While richer Russians have acquired prime properties in desirable hot spots like Dubrovnik, Russian holiday makers are even less prominent.
On the island of Hvar as an example – named by Lonely Planet as its number 5 destination for 2012 – the official tourism stats for 2011 show the island was more popular with holiday makers from 15 other states before Russia, including Belgium, Canada and Brazil, with Russian arrivals for the year recorded at 1,369.
This represents a 10% increase on Russian arrivals on Hvar, which made global announcements with the antics of Prince Harry and Beyonce last summer, and can be the beginning of increased interest in Croatia. A more relaxed approach to visa laws to Russian visitors, joined with the arrival of direct Aeroflot to Dubrovnik in 2011, and the announcement of Croatia Airlines routes to both Moscow and St. Petersburg, signify a growing interest in Russian tourism moving up the Adriatic coast as reported tagza.com.