The 42nd International Tourism Fair in and three related exhibitions opened today at the Belgrade Fair: the International “BeoWine” Wine Fair, the “Horeca-Equipment” International Hotel and Catering Equipment Fair and the “See Serbia” Souvenir Fair.
Until Sunday, February 23rd, under the slogan “Get Going”, the tourist offer will be presented by more than 900 exhibitors from 40 countries, with the presence of a significant number of business visitors from all over the world as well as the widest audience, always interested in traveling and new destinations.
The opening ceremony featured a short film about Belgrade as a tourist destination, with Belgrade Mayor Zoran Radojicic pointing out that the Serbian capital is seeing a steady increase in the number of tourists, adding that the numbers were between eight and nine percent higher last year than in 2018. He said 2,700,000 overnight stays were recorded in Belgrade last year, with the capital of Serbia hosting more than a million foreign guests for the first time.
Radojicic added that Belgrade has a lot to offer in business and congress tourism, and that further development of the capital’s infrastructure will contribute to this segment as well.
- Last year, 13 new hotels were opened in Belgrade, currently there are 112 in total, but that number is not enough for a city that is increasingly developing tourist potentials, Radojicic said.
Radojicic expressed his pleasure that the Republic of Egypt is the partner country of the fair this year and emphasized that Serbia can learn a lot from a country that is the cradle of civilization and has a rich cultural and historical heritage.
The biggest tourism event, Belgrade Tourism Fair, was opened by Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic with the message that 2020 will be a year of reforms and new investments in Serbian tourism.
He said that 1.3 million citizens of Serbia travel as tourists every year, and that the new regulations additionally protect passengers and prevent abuses and frauds: order is put in the work of tourist agencies.
- From April, eTurist, the central information system, will be operational, which will facilitate the check-in and categorization of tourist facilities, said Ljajic.
He announced that € 45 million would be invested in 45 tourism projects, the most significant being the construction of a gondola from Brzeć by Kopaonik, and significant private investment is expected in the sector.
- The plan is for four million tourists to visit Serbia this year, both domestic and foreign, to make 10.6 million overnights and a foreign exchange inflow of 1.5 billion euros, Ljajic said, expressing expectations that the coronavirus epidemic will soon end and that will not cause major damage to Serbia’s tourism.
Visitors to the Tourism, Wine, Catering and Souvenir Trade Fair, in addition to exclusive fair amenities, choosing travel and vacation destinations will enjoy all the senses in the flavors and aromas of gastronomic offer, specialties of this region, as well as tasting the best wines, brandies, drinks, as well as souvenirs from all over Serbia.
Booth presentations, demonstrations of catering skills on state-of-the-art equipment with product tastings are the reason why visitors expect this irreplaceable and extraordinary event every February.
Under the domes of the Belgrade Fair, at the largest tourist event in the region, it will speak in all languages of the world, promote the most beautiful values of cultures, peoples and customs, and affirm the rich symbolism of travel.
Working hours of the event: Thursday, 20th, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd February from 10am to 7pm and Sunday 23rd February from 10am to 6pm.
Tickets: The price of a single ticket is 400 dinars, and for group visits 300 dinars. Family ticket (parents with children under 16) 800 dinars.
Parking: 200 dinars per hour.
(Come to Serbia)