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Tourism 4.0 Montenegro: Digital Heritage, Innovation and European Collaboration

08.06.2026Sparks

The project Provision of Digital Technologies Fostering Tourism 4.0 and Technological Learning in Montenegro continues to deliver important results, including Montenegro’s participation in the European TwinIt! initiative, the completion of a comprehensive training programme with a hands-on workshop at Žabljak Crnojevića, the presentation of project results during June’s event co-organised with the Ministry of Tourism of Montenegro, and the launch of new digital interpretation tools for cultural heritage.

 

Digital preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage

Throughout the project, extensive digital capture and 3D documentation activities were carried out at the heritage sites of Žabljak Crnojevića and Fort Goražda. These activities are creating the foundation for a range of innovative digital interpretation tools and future tourism experiences.

Building on the collected data, several digital storytelling and interpretation solutions were developed.

For Fort Goražda, a web-based virtual 3D tour was created to improve accessibility, visibility, and educational value. The platform allows visitors to explore the site remotely while supporting heritage preservation through digital access.

For Žabljak Crnojevića, the project went a step further by combining contemporary spatial documentation with digital reconstruction. Developed in close collaboration with architectural historian Dr Dejan Gazivoda, the interactive virtual tour offers visitors an opportunity to better understand the site's historical development and significance through immersive digital storytelling.

The project also explored the potential of digital reconstruction for sites where physical remains are limited. For Brskovo – Village of Doganjice, a 3D reconstruction and cinematic visualisation were developed to interpret the historical significance of the medieval mining settlement. Through advanced digital modelling, the project has recreated elements of the site's historical layout and architectural heritage, making its story accessible to contemporary audiences.

Montenegro joins the European TwinIt! initiative

One of the project’s significant achievements was Montenegro’s first participation in the TwinIt! 3D digitisation campaign, a European Commission and Europeana initiative aimed at building the common European data space for cultural heritage. Montenegro joined the campaign ahead of its EU accession process, demonstrating its commitment to European digital heritage initiatives and the reuse of cultural heritage assets in education, tourism, research, and innovation.

As part of the initiative, two high-quality 3D models were contributed to Europeana: Fort Goražda and Žabljak Crnojevića Fortress. The models were prepared according to European standards and enriched with metadata compliant with the Europeana Data Model, ensuring interoperability and long-term accessibility within the European cultural heritage ecosystem. Montenegro’s contribution was presented at the high-level TwinIt! closing event held in Brussels in May 2026.

Knowledge transfer and innovation

Knowledge transfer is a central component of the project. A series of workshops introduced participants to digital documentation methods, 3D capture technologies, data processing workflows, and innovative approaches to cultural heritage interpretation. The final hands-on workshop, held at Žabljak Crnojevića and the University of Donja Gorica on 2 June 2026, provided practical experience in heritage documentation, photogrammetry, and the creation of textured 3D models.

The project’s achievements were presented during the Presentation of Key Results event held on 3 June 2026 at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Montenegro. The event brought together representatives of public institutions, municipalities, tourism organisations, technology providers, academia, creative industries, and cultural heritage experts.

Among the distinguished speakers were Montenegro’s Minister of Tourism, Simonida Kordić, Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Rogelj, and UNIDO representative Farrukh Alimdjanov. Their addresses and the subsequent discussions highlighted the importance of digital technologies, innovation, and international cooperation in unlocking the potential of Montenegro’s cultural heritage and supporting the future development of its tourism sector.

The project also encouraged innovation through the Call for Innovative Concepts: Digital Interpretation of Cultural Heritage, inviting participants to combine storytelling, digital technologies, and cultural heritage in new ways.

The winning concepts presented during the event included:

 

Towards a digital future for cultural heritage and tourism

By connecting digital technologies, cultural heritage, and Tourism 4.0 principles, the project is helping to establish a strong foundation for future innovation in Montenegro’s tourism sector. The activities have delivered new skills, strengthened local capacities, created valuable digital heritage assets, and demonstrated how emerging technologies can support both heritage preservation and the development of engaging visitor experiences.

Most importantly, the project demonstrates how cultural heritage can become an active driver of innovation, learning, and sustainable tourism development when combined with digital technologies and cross-sector collaboration.