The signature of an agreement between METROPOL Group (Russia) and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts Pte. Ltd (Singapore) on cooperation within the frameworks of the Saint Marko Island project was held on May 8, 2009 at the Splendid Conference & SPA Resort hotel (Budva, Montenegro).
The agreement was signed by Mikhail Slipenchuk, Head of METROPOL Group of companies and Bernold Schroeder, Managing Director of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts Pte. Ltd.  The function was attended by Montenegro Minister of Tourism Predrag Nenezic, representatives of the republic’s government and business organizations, senior METROPOL Group and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts Pte. Ltd managers, and leading reporters from Montenegrin, Russian and international media organizations.
The signature marks the continuation of METROPOL Group’s implementation of this unique project, which is designed to create Europe’s first six-star island resort on Saint Marko Island.  The project’s engagement of the Banyan Tree Hotels Group, which is one of the leading hotel operators in the worlds, represents another tangible step in this process.
Within the project’s frameworks, the Banyan Tree Hotels Group will create spa services on the island and be responsible for providing services to both the resort’s residents and guests.
The Savills company (Britain) serves as the project’s coordinator and sales consultant.  Two of Britain’s leading architectural engineering companies, Woods Bagot and ARUP, have also been engaged in this project’s work.  
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Saint Marko Island is situated in the Bokotorski Bay of the Gulf of Tivar, near the Adriatic Sea coast of Montenegro.  The island is renowned for its picturesque landscape and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Europe’s first six-star island resort will be constructed on a site spanning 33 hectares of the island.  All of the facilities will be built in accordance with the very highest international standards.
Within the frameworks of the project, which is being implemented by METROPOL Group, the site will see the construction of private villas, deluxe apartments and hotels, ultramodern restaurants, bars and cafes, prestigious brand boutiques, a yacht club, as well as a network of spa services.
The project’s implementation assigns an absolute priority to the island’s utmost environmental preservation.  The latest environmentally-safe technologies will be applied for the resort’s construction and future operation, while electricity will be the only source of energy for all means of transportation, without any exception.