The national tourism organisation of Montenegro has outlined its plans for the future of the country's travel industry, following its successful exhibition at the World Travel Market this month.

Sustainability is one of the major issues that Montenegro will be taking into account over coming months, with initiatives planned to develop and promote nature-based tourism.

Hotel guests staying in the country will be given the option to pay a voluntary carbon-offset charge and campaigns will be launched to promote cycling and hiking activities.

Another issue highlighted by Montenegro's tourism organisation was direct air access from key markets, which is considered important to ensure that travellers spend as little time in the air as possible.

Tourism and environment minister Predrag Nenezic said: 'Sustainability can mean many things to many people.

'To Montenegro, it means projects that are appropriate to the setting, that in no way impair the precious gift of our incredible natural beauty, that meet a market need, are profitable and economically sustainable for the investor, and that create net social and ecological benefits for the citizens.'

In the first nine months of 2007 Montenegro welcomed 1.1 million tourists, 11% more than in the same period in 2006.