Ljajic: Ecotourism a chance for Serbia

VLASINA LAKE/SURDULICA - Ecotourism offers a chance for Serbia, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic said at Vlasina Lake on Wednesday, adding that the country wishes to position tourism into an important economic sector.

Opening the Eco market at Vlasina Lake, Ljajic said that ecotourism has been developing and flourishing in Europe and the rest of the world.

“This is a chance for Serbia. We want to position tourism as an important industry, having in mind the natural resources and treasures Serbia has,” Ljajic said.

The UN Development Programme allocated EUR 25,000 for the construction and design of the Eco market and the Surdulica municipal budget provided another EUR 25,000 for the purpose.

The opening of the eco market was attended by UNDP Permanent Representative Irena Vojackova-Sollorano, as well as the officials of the Coca Cola company and the Surdulica municipality.

Sollorano said that she is particularly pleased that the market was completed just in time for the tourist season and noted that Vlasina Lake offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in Serbia.

This model should be used as a good example elsewhere in Serbia too, she said.

Surdulica Mayor Novica Toncev said that the Ecotourism programme at Vlasina Lake has been implemented for three years now with the assistance of the Serbian government and the UNDP, adding that UNDP alone has set aside around USD 230,000 for the purpose.

Vlasina Lake is situated in south-east Serbia, in the territory of the Surdulica municipality, at 1230 metres above the sea level. The lake covers some 15 square metres and is well-known for its floating isles.