Tourism industry posts $25 million surplus in 2003

Slobodan Milosavljevic

Feb 17 - Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic said yesterday that Serbia's tourism turnover in 2003 surpassed $150 million, with a surplus of $25 million.

Milosavljevic told a press conference at the Serbian Tourism Organisation that around two million tourists visited Serbia in the first 11 months of 2003, accounting for some 6.4 million overnights.

Milosavljevic recalled that the Serbian government has set aside significant funds to encourage the tourism industry over the past few years, adding that 52 tourism firms have been privatised so far.

Novi Sad's Park hotel was privatised in early January this year, said Milosavljevic, and added that Belgrade's hotels Metropol and Jugoslavija are set to be sold at tenders.

Chairman of the Serbian Association of Tourist Guides Predrag Djordjevic said that the association will organise a free tour around Belgrade, Nis, Topola on Feb 21, to mark the world day of tourist guides and 200th anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising against the Turkish rule.