Foreign exchange inflow from tourism in 2016 to exceed EUR 1 billion

The director of the Tourist Organization of Serbia (TOS), Marija Labovic, stated that it was expected that Serbia would record a foreign exchange inflow of over a billion euros from tourism in 2016.

– In 2015, a foreign exchange inflow of EUR 945 was made from tourism, so we expect, if the positive growth trend continues, that Serbia will record a foreign exchange inflow of over EUR 1 billion in 2016, which would be the biggest inflow since the National Bank of Serbia started tracking this indicator – Labovic said for Beta.

She said that, according to the data by the National Bank of Serbia, the foreign exchange inflow from tourism from January till May 2016 had amounted to EUR 330 million, which was 17% more than in the corresponding period of 2015.

Labovic also said that the number of foreign tourists in Serbia in the first six months of 2016 had increased by 10% to 539,848.

The growth of the number of foreign tourists, according to her, is a result of the activities of the Tourist Organization of Serbia in foreign markets and its participation in tourists fairs abroad.

– TOS has organized an array of educational trips for representatives of media and travel organizers from abroad, which has influenced the improvement of Serbia's image as a safe and attractive new tourist destination – Labovic pointed out.

She reminded that, in 2016, the competent ministry had prepared incentive measures for receptive agencies which brought tourists to Serbia, the results of which were expected to be shown in the period to come.

Foreign tourists, as she said, mostly visit Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, Kragujevac, Subotica.

– They visit the city centers for the purposes of 'city breaks', business events, like fairs and congresses, but also numerous events which are being held throughout the year – Labovic pointed out.

She added that a large number of foreigners visited Kopaonik, Zlatibor, Tara, Stara Planina, as well as Vrnjacka Banja, Banja Koviljaca, Gornja Trepca and places offering nature recreation and rural tourism.

Turistička organizacija Srbije Beograd

TOS

Marija Labovic