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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Danube is key element in development of domestic tourism

Belgrade, 2 November 2006

Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Services Bojan Dimitrijevic said at the opening of the 17th international conference, “Danube- cultural corridor for sustainable tourism development”, that the Danube River is the key element in the tourism development strategy of Serbia.

Author: Tanjug

Dimitrijevic stressed that the Danube with its 600 kilometre long course through Serbia is among the three most important “tourism products” alongside health and mountain resorts which could be developed with investments from €600 million to €700 million.

He recalled that funds worth €9 million have been set aside through the National Investment Plan for investing in tourism projects connected with the Danube, but it is necessary to invest some €30 million to €50 million annually, and there must be cooperation between the state and private sector for attracting foreign investment.

Dimitrijevic said that by the middle of November a group of German parliamentarians will visit to examine possibilities of joint investments in tourism connected to the Danube.

According to Dimitrijevic, it is also planned that a decree is adopted on navigation and simplified procedure for opening of border-crossings only for passenger boats, which will contribute to development of tourism.

The Minister stressed that the number of foreign tourist boats has increased from 40 in 2002 to 376 last year. He said that this year the figure will rise above 400, which means that annually some 100,000 tourists come to Serbia on Danube river cruises.

The development of infrastructure and accompanying services is the precondition for increasing traffic on the Danube, he said.

The five-day international conference has been organised by the international scientific forum “Danube – River of Cooperation”, and during the upcoming days the conference will be continued in Smederevo, Golubac and Donji Milanovac.

The conference is being hosted by the Institute of International Politics and Economy, the National Park “Djerdap” and tourist organisations of Smederevo and Golubac.