HTM students on a site visit to Mamula Island and The Chedi Hotel in Montenegro

by Nikolina Jerkić, HTM junior year student

On April 22, 2023, HTM students and some faculty members visited two hotels in Luštica Bay, Montenegro - Mamula Island and The Chedi Hotel, as a part of Luxury Operations Design and Lodging Operations, Analytics and Management classes taught by dr.sc. Besim Agušaj.

Both hotels are situated in secluded locations and cater to high-end guests. During the visit, the group learned about personalization of services and how it's implemented in these hotels. Mamula Island was initially built in the mid-19th century to protect the region and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island was later used as a prison during World War II and has now been transformed into a luxurious hotel. The students were impressed by the history and uniqueness of the hotel, which promotes Montenegro by using traditional ingredients and design to create a fort-like atmosphere. The concept behind Mamula Island is to remind guests about the importance of self-care and recharging. 

The Chedi Luštica Bay is a hotel that focuses on cherishing and protecting nature. The students were amazed by the passionate people working there and how the hotel emphasizes not only guests but also employees. The hotel's decisions impact the surrounding community, ecosystem, and economy. During the visit, the students also learned about Luštica Bay as a development project that aims to build a new town in the area, including apartments, townhouses, villas, a marina, beaches, a golf course, restaurants, shops, and other amenities. This development is designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors and residents and promote the local economy by creating jobs.

Students and faculty members found their visit to Mamula Island and The Chedi Hotel to be an enlightening experience. They appreciated the opportunity to learn about high-end guests and investing in employees as a valuable asset. The visit provided them with a greater understanding of the importance of employee satisfaction and its impact on guests' experience in the hospitality industry.