Ecotourism Vision: Mohamed Alabbar To Launch Lake Shas Village In Montenegro – Travel And Tour World

Report on the Eagle Hills EcoVillage Development in Montenegro and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.0 Introduction and Executive Summary

A report dated October 3, 2025, confirms a significant foreign direct investment in Montenegro’s tourism sector by UAE-based Eagle Hills. The project, an ecotourism development named Eagle Hills EcoVillage Shas, is located in the municipality of Ulcinj. This initiative is strategically aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on economic growth, environmental preservation, and sustainable partnerships. Construction is scheduled to commence within the next 12 months. The development represents a pivotal move to position Montenegro as a leading destination for sustainable and eco-conscious tourism, directly contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

2.0 Project Overview: Eagle Hills EcoVillage Shas

The proposed development is an environmentally conscious hospitality hub designed to integrate luxury tourism with ecological stewardship. Its core objectives are directly linked to key SDGs.

2.1 Core Objectives and SDG Alignment

• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): To establish a model for sustainable tourism by creating an eco-village that minimizes its environmental footprint through sustainable construction and operational practices.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): To preserve and enhance the ecologically significant freshwater ecosystem of Lake Shas by developing tourism infrastructure that operates in harmony with the natural environment.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): To stimulate the local economy of Ulcinj and Montenegro by creating jobs, attracting international visitors, and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): To develop resilient and sustainable infrastructure, including eco-friendly wellness resorts and recreational facilities, that enhances Montenegro’s tourism capabilities.

3.0 Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

The project’s foundation is a multi-stakeholder partnership, a critical component for achieving the SDGs. This collaboration leverages international expertise and local knowledge to ensure long-term viability and community integration.

3.1 Joint Venture Structure

The initiative is managed through a joint venture company established in Podgorica. The partners include:

1. Eagle Hills Montenegro: The international investor, providing capital and global expertise in large-scale sustainable development.
2. Cungu & Co: A local Montenegrin company, contributing regional business acumen and operational knowledge.
3. Bond: A second local partner, ensuring the project is grounded in the national economic and social context.

This partnership, announced at the ESG Adria Summit 2025, exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering a cross-border collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance sustainable development.

4.0 Environmental and Community Integration

The project’s location and design philosophy place a significant emphasis on environmental protection and community well-being, addressing multiple SDGs simultaneously.

4.1 Ecological Focus on Lake Shas (SDG 14 & SDG 15)

The selection of Lake Shas, a vital freshwater body, underscores a commitment to protecting biodiversity. The development plan prioritizes:

• Preservation of the natural habitat surrounding the lake.
• Development of low-impact tourism activities such as wellness and nature-based recreation.
• Positioning an underutilized natural asset as a hub for sustainable tourism, contributing to the protection of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

4.2 Commitment to Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

The project demonstrates sensitivity to local concerns, a key aspect of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). This was evidenced by Eagle Hills’ prior decision to withdraw bids for leasing locations along Velika Plaza following public resistance. This action has fostered a more collaborative environment for the Lake Shas project, which is positioned as an investment aligned with community integration and the preservation of local cultural and natural heritage.

5.0 Economic Implications and Future Outlook

The Eagle Hills EcoVillage is poised to become a benchmark for sustainable investment in the Balkans, driving economic progress while adhering to global sustainability standards.

5.1 Contribution to Montenegro’s Sustainable Economy (SDG 8)

The project is expected to:

• Diversify Montenegro’s tourism offerings beyond its primary coastal destinations.
• Attract high-value, eco-conscious international tourists.
• Create sustainable employment opportunities for the local population in Ulcinj.
• Serve as a model for future foreign investments focused on green and sustainable principles.

5.2 Conclusion

The Eagle Hills EcoVillage Shas project represents a transformative development for Ulcinj and Montenegro. By embedding the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals into its core strategy—from its partnership structure (SDG 17) and economic model (SDG 8) to its environmental stewardship (SDG 15) and community engagement (SDG 11)—the initiative is set to create a new paradigm for sustainable tourism in the Adriatic region. Its successful implementation could redefine Ulcinj as a premier international destination for responsible and eco-friendly travel.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article focuses on a major investment in Montenegro’s tourism sector, which is a key driver of economic growth. The project aims to reshape the “Adriatic tourism landscape” and boost “Montenegro’s fast-growing tourism potential,” directly contributing to economic development.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The project is an “eco-village” designed to be an “environmentally conscious hospitality hub.” This aligns with the goal of making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The article also highlights the importance of “community integration” and sensitivity to “local voices,” which are central to sustainable community development.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The development is explicitly framed as “ecotourism” and a “sustainable development project.” This connects to promoting sustainable tourism, which minimizes environmental impact and supports local economies, a key aspect of responsible consumption and production patterns.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The project is centered around Lake Shas, a “ecologically significant freshwater lake.” A core objective of the development is “preserving the natural ecosystem of the area” and keeping “harmony with the natural environment,” which directly addresses the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article details the formation of a “joint venture” between the international company Eagle Hills Montenegro and two local companies, Cungu & Co and Bond. This “cross-border collaboration” and integration of “international investment expertise into Montenegro’s tourism sector” is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”
   • The article describes the project as a unique “ecotourism development” that will enhance Montenegro’s tourism potential. This initiative is a direct implementation of a policy to promote sustainable tourism in the Ulcinj region.
2. Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”
   • The development’s vision places a strong “emphasis on preserving the natural ecosystem” of Lake Shas, which is described as an “ecologically significant” natural asset. The project aims to enhance tourism while safeguarding this natural heritage.
3. Target 12.b: “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”
   • The project is positioned as a “model for future investments in the region, particularly those focused on eco-tourism, wellness, and sustainable hospitality.” The entire concept of an “eco-village” implies the implementation of sustainability principles and practices that can be monitored for their environmental and economic impacts.
4. Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.”
   • The project is located around Lake Shas, a freshwater lake. The plan to build an eco-village while “preserving the natural ecosystem of the area” directly aligns with the goal of ensuring the sustainable use of inland freshwater ecosystems.
5. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.”
   • The foundation of the initiative is a public-private partnership, specifically a “joint venture” between an international investor (Eagle Hills) and local companies. The article highlights this partnership as a “pioneering step” for “cross-border collaboration.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 8.9:
   • The article implies progress can be measured by the growth of the tourism sector in the Ulcinj region. The project is expected to “boost hospitality services” and attract an “international audience,” which can be measured through tourism revenue, visitor numbers, and jobs created in the new eco-village.
2. Indicator for Target 11.4:
   • An implied indicator is the amount of investment and the specific measures taken to preserve the Lake Shas ecosystem. The success of the project in maintaining “harmony with the natural environment” while developing facilities would be a key measure of progress.
3. Indicator for Target 12.b:
   • The development of the “Eagle Hills EcoVillage Shas” itself, with its “eco-compatible infrastructures” and adherence to “sustainability principles,” serves as an indicator. The implementation of a sustainable tourism strategy for the village is a direct measure of progress.
4. Indicator for Target 15.1:
   • A direct indicator is the ecological health of Lake Shas and its surrounding habitats following the construction and operation of the eco-village. The article’s emphasis on “preserving the natural ecosystem” implies that monitoring this ecosystem is a core component of the project’s success.
5. Indicator for Target 17.17:
   • The primary indicator is explicitly mentioned: the formal establishment of the “Podgorica-based company” through the “joint venture” between Eagle Hills Montenegro, Cungu & Co, and Bond. The value of the foreign direct investment from this partnership is another quantifiable indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com