Serbia has a lot to show the world and tourists, and it will continue to be supported by its European partners – this is the conclusion of the „Tourism Talks“ conference, which discussed the rich cultural and historical heritage and sustainable tourist potential of Serbia. On that occasion, the results of the five-year project „EU for Cultural Heritage and Tourism“ were presented and a panel was held on the topic „Finding a model for the development of sustainable tourism“. The conference was also attended by representatives of the World Touristic Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council.
With the presence of representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Delegation of the European Union, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, everything that has been done to preserve cultural heritage, develop and promote tourism in Eastern Serbia and Lower Danube was presented. During the project worth 24.5 million euros significant cultural and historical objects were reconstructed and the development of the tourist potential of those employed in tourism was supported.
Among the most significant infrastructural works was the construction of the Visitor’s Center near Felix Romuliana, the only archeological site in Serbia that was included in the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO. In the Fetislam Fortress in Kladovo, the Varos gate and part of the ramparts of the Great City were preserved, the gates of the Small City were repaired and a summer stage was built. During the project, Rajacke Pivnice in the vicinity of Negotin, famous for its wine cellars, received electrical, water, and sewerage networks, and the works on the arrangement of lighting and pedestrian paths in the complex of Pivnice are nearing completion.
Within the Golubac Fortress, the Archeological Hill Park was opened, where limestone kilns and buildings dating from the 16th and 17th centuries were discovered during the research. The only participating municipality in the project that is not in Eastern Serbia is – Topola. Kings Winery in Topola was reconstructed – the roofs and ceiling were replaced and new electrical and hydro installations were made. The decoration of the interior and exterior of this oldest winery in Serbia will be carried out during the next project, which will also be financed by the European Union.
„Tourism connects people from all over the world. This means that it should also respond to the global challenges. During 2020, at the height of the pandemic, one million euros was donated to small and medium-sized businesses and private individuals involved in tourism. It was often the decisive factor for staying in business in those difficult times“ said Pawel Voronin, First Secretary of the Embassy of Germany in Serbia. He added that the project „EU for Cultural Heritage and Tourism“ was also focused on opening opportunities and jobs for women and youth. „More than half of the grantees have employed women in their businesses„, he said.
During the project, 184 private individuals engaged in tourism received grants for business improvement. Most of the funds were used for the improvement of sustainable tourism and the greening of this branch of the economy, as well as for the development of the tourism potential, and support to women engaged in tourism. Associations and the public sector received twenty grants.
The project „EU for Cultural Heritage and Tourism“ ensured the improvement of the knowledge of tourism employees from the public and private sectors, with support in the creation of new services aimed at tourists and the promotion of tourist destinations in both the domestic and foreign markets. Eight municipalities from Eastern Serbia and Lower Danube took part (Kladovo, Majdanpek, Golubac, Zajecar, Negotin, Veliko Gradiste, Pozarevac, and Smederevo) and the municipality of Topola from Sumadija. The project is financed by the European Union and the Government of Germany in cooperation with the Serbian Ministry of Tourism and Youth and is implemented by GIZ.