Serbia: WWI centenary in tourist offer

BELGRADE - In a new summer offer, the Tourist Organization of Belgrade (TOB) prepared various events that will mark the centenary of the beginning of World War I, TOB Director Gordana Plamenac announced on Thursday.

Tourism organizations have already designed some of these historical tours, and TOB will have a memorial tour of Belgrade, with stops at WWI monuments, Plamenac told the Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS), thus joining international initiatives.

Plamenac noted that an inflow of foreign money in the Serbian tourism industry reached USD 1 billion in 2013, which is a historic result.

"Our people do not see tourism as a development opportunity and it is very important to change that," she said, pointing out that the growth of tourism encourages the job creation and development in the region, but also affects the country's image.

"Serbia does not have beaches or sea, but it can offer a creative experience that is now in great demand in the world," Plamenac said.

She noted that Serbia is "on the right track" to improving this industry, mentioning a youth initiative "Creative Industries of Serbia" (KIS) as one of the most encouraging examples.

Asked what foreign guests object to, she mentioned a poor infrastructure, problems related to fiscal bills and prices of some services, as well as poor road signs.

Photo Tanjug, F. Kraincanic (Archive)