In the Balkans, a small seaside town is leading the way for sustainable development within the tourism sector. Orascom Development’s Luštica Bay, located in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, is already home to the most sustainable hotel in the Balkans, and has set its sights on becoming the region’s most sustainable tourism town.
Orascom Development has a long history of developing towns in a sustainable way, from its flagship town, El Gouna, Red Sea on the coast of Egypt, which was the first destination in Africa and the Arab Region to receive the UN’s Global Green Award in August 2014, to Andermatt in the Swiss Alps, which aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Luštica Bay will follow a similar template and is being developed to preserve and sustain the beauty of its natural environment. The development covers just 10% of the total peninsula and green construction methods, energy efficient architecture and cooperation with local communities and businesses, have all contributed to a responsible design that is consistent with The Parliament of the Republic on Montenegro’s “Declaration of the ecological state of Montenegro” (September 20, 1991).
Luštica Bay’s luxury, five-star hotel, The Chedi, Luštica Bay already operates on a low-waste model, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. At present, the hotel’s daily carbon footprint per occupied room lies at just 44.25 KGCO2/occ, significantly lower than the global industry average, making it a regional leader. Recycled wastewater from the hotel’s baths, showers, and sinks is cleaned and filtered onsite before being rebottled in glass for guest use, while the remains of bars of soap are cleaned, reformed and recycled. All food waste from the hotel’s restaurants is sent to local farms to feed their animals and fertilise their fields, before their harvest is sent back to the hotel to fill the restaurants again. Plastic and cardboard waste from the hotel is separated and recycled, with its cardboard and plastic being reused for 3D printing purposes.
Even the décor operates in-line with the no-waste model; with local Montenegrin artist and environmentalist Milena Živković, dedicating her art to the repurposing of old canvases – reviving them with new art as part of an ongoing project with the property. The Chedi has also appointed a Director of Sustainability, Milica Jankovic, who has been tasked with the ongoing implementation of sustainable practices at the property.

The Chedi, Luštica Bay also aims to give back as much as possible to the local community. All linen is donated to hospitals and orphanages and the hotel has a Giving Bag in guest rooms where guests can donate items that are distributed to local associations helping people in need.
The hotel has already been awarded a Bronze and Silver Earth Check and a Green Key International certificate to mark its efforts to operate sustainably. It also holds a pledge to UNESCO and supports UN Global Compact.
The destination also champions sustainable transport, with three Tesla chargers, the first in Montenegro, and two Porsche chargers available in the hotel parking area for our guests at no extra cost, and e-bikes are also available for day rentals.
Travellers can stay at The Chedi Luštica Bay from £270pp during the spring season, staying in a Sea View Room with balcony and breakfast included.