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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Foreign currency receipts from tourism in 2007 more than $500 million

Belgrade, 25 January 2008

State Secretary for tourism at the Serbian Ministry of Economy and Regional Development Goran Petkovic said today that during 11 months in 2007 foreign currency receipts from tourism were worth $482 million, which is an increase of 33% when compared to the same period in 2006.

Petkovic said at a press conference held in the Sava Centre that it can be said with certainty that the total amount of receipts from tourism for the previous year will exceed the planned $500 million.

He said that during 11 months in the previous year the number of tourists in Serbia was up by 15% compared to the same period in 2006. He added that overnight stays also increased by 11%.

According to Petkovic, it is very important that the number of foreign tourists increased by 19%, and their overnight stays increased by 23%, which shows that they are opting for longer visits to Serbia.

He said that tourism in Serbia has seen an upward trend during the previous four years.

He stressed that Serbia has the potential to become a regional leader in congress tourism, which was specified as one of nine strategic products in the tourism strategy until 2015.

Petkovic said that Serbia already has facilities in Belgrade and Novi Sad which can greatly assist in the development of congress tourism.

Speaking on important events in this area, Petkovic said that in September this year a regional investment conference of the World Tourism Organisation will be held in Belgrade, the Danube Commission is scheduled to meet in December, and a congress of hoteliers is planned for October next year.

Petkovic said that his ministry is working on improving Serbia’s offer in congress tourism, a new congress centre is being built in Palic, and other centres will be constructed in resorts and mountain areas.