Fewer Serbian tourists abroad, more foreigners visit Serbia

BELGRADE - Around five percent Serbian tourists less than last year will go abroad through travel agencies, and the number of foreign tourists visiting Serbia will go up by 15 to 20 percent in 2014, Director of the National Association of Travel Agencies (YUTA) Aleksandar Senicic said Thursday.

"Our data indicate that the number of foreign tourists will be higher by 15 to 20 percent, especially in big cities, which will bring about a rise in the foreign currency inflow," Senicic told Tanjug.

When it comes to Serbian tourists travelling abroad, the situation is quite different.

Preliminary data indicated that the number of Serbians travelling abroad through travel agencies would be higher this year compared to 2013, as the early bookings saw a rise of 15 to 20 percent.

"Unfortunately, the flooding and natural disasters occurred, and reduced the demand significantly. They also caused a large number of cancellations of travel arrangements," explained Senicic.

The announced layoffs in the public sector also affected the tourist flow, YUTA director said.