Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Tatjana Matić officially opened the 43rd International Tourism Fair. She said that the visit of a large number of ministers from other countries will contribute to strengthening both tourist exchange between our countries and existing business cooperation.
She pointed out that the Belgrade Fair has a long tradition and is one of the key drivers of the Serbian economy as a whole, but it is also one of the most important events of this type in the region.
After last year’s break, she said, this event now provides an opportunity for exhibitors and visitors alike to remember the golden times of travel and, despite everything, to invigorate the hope of a return to normal life.
“We are especially proud of the new tourist brand of Serbia,” said the minister. “Serbia is presented as a modern, open, exciting and creative destination, just as we were seen by a million visitors from all over the world who visited our pavilion at the World Exhibition in Dubai.”
She says we have set a new standard of Serbia’s international representation in the world, and the result is more than 40 signed pre-agreements and contracts and 20 of our companies preparing to start doing business in the Middle East.
Matić added that preparations for EXPO 2025 in Osaka have already begun, and that Belgrade and Serbia are ready to host the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2027, for which Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić submitted a letter of candidacy in January this year.
The Minister mentioned the unexpected disturbances to world tourism caused by the pandemic, but said that thanks to government support measures the Serbian tourism sector was prepared for adjustment and rapid change, and that in 2021 over five billion dinars had been allocated through her ministry to support the sector.
Belgrade Mayor Zoran Radojičić and director of the Tourist Organization of Serbia Marija Labović also spoke at the opening ceremony, which was attended by representatives of the cabinet of Prime Minister Ana Brnabić together with Minister of Economic Development of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, Bulgarian Minister of Tourism Hristo Prodanov, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Stasa Kosarac, Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska Zlatan Klokić and Minister of Tourism of the Maldives Dr Abdulla Mausoom.
The International Tourism Fair is being held at the Belgrade Fairground from 24 to 27 March, under the slogan ‘Between Mountain and Ocean’. In addition to the Tourism Fair, two more events will traditionally be held: the 17th International Fair of Hotel and Catering Services HORECA-OPREMA (24-27 March) and the 12th International Wine Fair BEOWINE (25-26 March).
Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Tunisia, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and the Maldives are represented at the fair, while exhibitors from Albania, Croatia and Slovenia are performing individually.
This year, Malaysia and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe are represented for the first time.