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KEEPING PACE WITH THE WORLD |
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In Madrid, within the International Tourism Fair of Spain (FITUR 2017), with nearly 600 participants, 2017 was festively declared (on January 18, 2017) by the United Nations the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT. As declared by Mr. Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, “Every day, more than three million tourists cross international borders. Every year, almost 1.2 billion people travel abroad. Tourism has become a pillar of economies, a passport to prosperity, and a transformative force for improving millions of lives. The world can and must harness the power of tourism“. On the same occasion, Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General, points out "The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the contribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the public, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change.“
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The festivity in Madrid was attended also by Ms. Renata Pindžo, Assistant Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Serbia, and on this occasion she talked to Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General and Ms. Isabel Garana, Regional Director for Europe, about cooperation and possible UNWTO projects in the United Nations Development Partnership Framework 2016 – 2020 of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the United Nations Country Team in Serbia (UNDAF 2016-2020), as well as about the conference the Republic of Serbia will organize under cooperation with UNWTO in June 2017 with the topic of sustainable tourism in the Danube Region. As she declared, „The successful cooperation of the Republic of Serbia with the World Tourism Organization, as well as the enviable reputation our country has got as a member, is confirmed also by the second successive mandate (for the period 2013 – 2017) in the Executive Council of this World Organization”. |
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THE COOPERATION ADVANCEMENT |
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The SERBIAN – GREEK BUSINESS FORUM was held in Belgrade (January 31, 2017, Metropol Palace Hotel). Its opening was attended also by Prime Ministers of both countries, Mr. Alexis Tsipras and Mr. Aleksandar Vučić. At the Forum, where it was pointed out the Greek businessmen were ready and open for investments and the increase of tourism exchange between the two countries, Mr. Konstantinos Michalos, President of the Central Union of Greek Chambers of Commerce and Industry, pointed out the fact that “Greece is annually visited by about a million of Serbian tourists, which contributes to Greek economy” and Mr. Goran Knežević, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Serbia, mentioned the offer to the Greek business partners inviting to invest in Serbia “Included also 11 spas and several catering facilities at attractive locations”.
As declared by Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, „There are great potentials of the two countries for cooperation within tourism. According to some data, for a tourist going from Serbia to Croatia, 15 – 16 tourists go to Greece”.
The Greek Economic Delegation in Belgrade consisted also of many representatives of the tourism industry. From Halkidiki Region arrived businessmen with the offers of many hotels, both in Halkidiki and Thessaloniki, those looking for the three and four stars hotel construction locations in both countries, as well as the businessmen looking for the investors at Northern Greece. At the B2B meetings, the participants were also the companies within tourism staff education with the offer of online booking on Greek islands and in transport. Special place was taken by Medical Tourism, represented by the attendees from Federation of Unions of Private Hospitals of Greece, who wanted meetings, both with clinics in Serbia and the travel agencies dealing with this tourism type.
The Serbian businessmen visit to Greece is planned for the spring this year. |
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CREDITS FOR THE TOURISM OFFER SUPPORT |
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While last year, in order to support the local tourism development, Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia decided the travel agencies and travel organizers registered in the territory of Serbia may have the subvention right for the organized bringing of not less than 15 international tourists, for “the accomplished minimum of 3 nights with breakfast and accommodation in the categorized hospitality facilities”, which did not provide results, since the travel agencies and travel organizers did not find their interest in it, this year, 2017, the Ministry declared the public competition for providing the CREDIT FUNDS FOR TOURISM OFFER QUALITY ADVANCEMENT AND ITS USE INTENSIFYING, i.e. marketing enhancement of the local catering offer, rural facilities restoring and their turning into tourism capacities, the tourism infrastructure construction, as well as the tourism capacities coordination with the Tourism Law. The right to use the credit funds have got the business entities and entrepreneurs registered for the activity performing within tourism, as well as the farms entered into the Farm Register, pursuant to the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development.
The deadline for the Application submittal is November 1, 2017.
ISTN provides attached the Competition for the Credit Funds Providing. |
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THE FLIGHT TO THE WORLD |
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Since Serbia entered 2017 with 13% higher number of tourists, compared with the same period in the previous year and foreign currency income, new strategy of tourism development 2016 – 2025, 60,000 vouchers, the continuation of the campaign Serbia All I Love and the result showing 94.7% international tourists are satisfied by their travel through Serbia, National Tourism Organization of Serbia (NTOS), awarded by the Market Communications Association (UEPS) by Silver Award in the Outdoor/Out of Home Category for the campaign #MojaSrbija 2016 is focused now on the intensive promotion at international markets. NTOS first featured Serbia at the CMT Show in Stuttgart (January 14 – 22, 2017), where it attended with the entire tourism offer and the focus on culture, City Breaks (Belgrade and Novi Sad), interesting points along the Danube, including the Danube Cycling Route, camping and caravaning, active outdoor holiday combined with the rural tourism, events and gastronomy. Then followed the presentations at the trade fairs ITF SlovakiaTour in Bratislava (January 26 – 29, 2017) and EMITT in Istanbul (January 26 – 29, 2017), with a specific offer of Novi Pazar. Special position in the Serbia promotion is taken by New York Times Travel Show in New York (January 27 – 29, 2017), where the NTOS, under cooperation with the national airline Air Serbia, promoted Serbia at the booth of the European Travel Commission, a member of which is NTOS.
As declared by Marija Labović, NTOS CEO, “The tourism attractions of Serbia and the direct Air Serbia flight from New York to Belgrade raised great interest of both the US tourism industry and many media, but also prospect tourists, the Show visitors. We also had a well noticed participation in the panel discussion with the topic Undiscovered European Destinations, which turned considerable attention to Serbia as travel destination. We also organized a photo exhibition with the most beautiful motifs, we showed the tourism promotion films, featured the tourism offer to the US media and travel organizers and organized tasting of Serbian wines and gastronomic specialties. Bearing in mind the said great interest, we expect the number of tourists from the USA to increase considerably in the following period and the NTOS will continue the intensive promotional activities at the US market”.
February, being in Serbia under the tourism sign anyway, started by the presentation at the tradeshow Destinations in London (February 2 – 5, 2017) and culminates by the attendance at Belgrade Tourism Fair IFT 2017 (February 23 – 26, 2017, Belgrade Fair Hall 4), showing the complete tourism offer of Serbia.
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Under the slogan Enjoy in Time, 39th International Tourism Fair IFT 2017 is held on February 23 – 26, 2017 at Belgrade Fair. Countries from all continents, cities, regions, Tourism Organizations, hotels, mountain and spa resorts, various destinations and attractions, airlines, travel agencies and tour operators will gather at the exhibiting halls and offer travel packages for the forthcoming tourism season, with the up to 40% discount. Traditionally dominating will be the FIRST MINUTE offers. Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, India, Germany, Spain, Tunisia, Cyprus and other countries will feature their tourism potentials and for the first time, also RUSSIA and CHINA (WenHui Daily, one of the best known and most read newspaper companies in China, declared in 2016 Serbia as The Best Overseas Travel Destination under the competition of European countries). As declared by the event organizers “More than 1,100 exhibitors from about sixty countries will promote the most attractive travel destinations”. The Partner Country is Montenegro.
In order to enhance the business image promotion of the exhibitors and increase of this year’s visit, this year’s Tourism Fair IFT 2017, including the desk where citizen may submit their applications for the voucher use for a holiday in Serbia, will be more oriented to business visitors in the morning and to the amusing features and promotions in the afternoon.
THE EVENT OPENING HOURS |
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Thursday, February 23 - 10.00 a. m. to 6.00 p. m. |
Friday February 24 - 10.00 a. m. to 7.00 p. m. |
Saturday February 25 - 10.00 a. m. to 7.00 p. m. |
Sunday February 26 - 10.00 a. m. to 5.00 p. m. |
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The Serbian Tourism Industry (Belgrade Fair Hall 4) adapts successfully its prospects and price policy to the tourist needs, looking for and offering new destinations, products, contents, as well as new technologies and standards in the tourism facility furnishing. |
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Along with the Tourism Fair IFT 2017, the International Fair of Hotel and Restaurant Equipment HORECA, Wine Fair BeoWine and Souvenir Fair are organized there, as well.
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LET’S CREATE THE EVENT FUTURE IN SERBIA
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Under the slogan „Let’s Create the Event Future in Serbia Together”, the Serbian Tourism and Events Association (TEAM of Serbia), under cooperation with the High Tourism School from Belgrade and the Tourism Organization of Zlatibor, organizes the Anniversary 10th MEETING OF EVENT ORGANIZERS 2016/2017. The topics of this year’s Meeting, gathering the representatives of the relevant Ministry, Tourism Organizations of Serbian Cities and Municipalities, travel agencies, hotel and catering managers, event organizers, souvenir manufacturers and tourism experts, are: “Beginning of Event Classification and Categorizing in Serbia”, “Event Presentation at Social Networks”, “The Program Features of Children Events”, “The Expressed Social Responsibility in the Event Organization”, “Forgotten Serbia – Carnival Tradition in Serbia” and “The Events Abroad”.
As declared by Ms. Milanka Cvetković, President of the TEAM OF SERBIA Association, “Just at the Meeting, the awards TOURISM PUZZLE 2017 will also be awarded by the Meeting attendees’ votes in the categories The Most Successful Traditional Event, The Most Successful New Event, Deserved Individual within the Event Tourism, The Most Successful Local Self-Government – The Support Pillar to the Event Organizers and The Best Event Promotional Film.
10th MEETING OF EVENT ORGANIZERS is held on March 3 – 4, 2017, at the Convention Hall of the Special Hospital ČIGOTA, on Zlatibor. |
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THE LASTING VALUE |
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The year 2017 at the Special Hospital Merkur from Vrnjačka Spa will pass marked by the celebration of 70 years its successful business, the promotion of intensive development and the accomplished results, making this treatment and rest resort at present the most contemporary one in Serbia. As declared by Merkur Management, „The story about Merkur as the spa/rehabilitation resort begins in 1947 and at present, this is not just a modern equipped, internationally acknowledges treatment resort, where the fight for health is carried out successfully and mutually by medical doctors and natural treatment factors and their results in the diagnostics and treatment of the digestive tract and osteoarticular system, as well as diabetes prevention and treatment, are so considerable, but through a well-managed development strategy in the last decade, Merkur succeeded in the development from a classic spa RH center into a modern medical and spa resort with contemporary diagnostic methods, highly specialized medical team, relax and spa features. It is a great place for all those who look for relaxation, full relaxation, revitalization, physical activities for prevention purpose, the place where, in many ways - „The health is waking up“. Dr. Dejan Stanojević, Special Hospital Merkur CEO, points out „Merkur executed many large and nice investments. Among them, the most important one is the work commencement on the new facility Splendor, planned to be opened during 2017“.
Merkur, having a special action called ’Health, Swimming Pool and Snow’ by February 22, 2017, will promote its capacities, features, offer, programs and actions at the Belgrade Tourism Fair (February 23 – 26, 2017, Belgrade Fair Hall 4).
  
ISTN provides attached the current Merkur programs. |
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HIGH VIEW TO THE SERBIAN SKI RESORTS |
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In accordance with the winter campaign of the Public Company Ski Resorts of Serbia called „The High View“, all capacities of Serbian ski resorts Kopaonik, Zlatibor (Tornik) and Stara Planina are fully operating. Mr. Dejan Ćika, CEO of the Public Company Ski Resorts of Serbia, points out “Since the season beginning, there are 25% more skiers than at the same time last year, the income has been increased for 38%, we had even more than 7,000 skiers in one day. All systems are operating, in total, 800,000 cubic meters of artificial snow were manufactured. Thus, we hope the season could last even by May 1”. Since January 21, 2017, all installations at the ski resort Kopaonik, where 24 chairlifts and 36 lanes are operating, are open for half an hour longer by 4.30 p. m.
The contribution to the total offer of Kopaonik is provided also by MK Mountain Resort (the Hotels Grand and Anđela, as well as the apartment settlement Konaci), organizing for the second time, along with its partners, at the Grand Hotel, the event Music Week (March 10 – 18, 2017), announced as “The new tourism concept, which will connect the outdoor staying, winter sports, rest and socializing, with good food and everything the visitors come to the mountain for, with an exclusive good time”.
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| The Ski Resorts of Serbia, having got the certificates, confirming the organization management system has been coordinated with the requirements of the standards ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, which means the management and operation process quality at the most popular Serbian ski resorts does not lag behind the ski resorts, such as Kaprun in Austria, Zermatta in Switzerland, Serre Chevalier in France and Aspen in the USA, execute in the winter season 2017 also discounts in the form of TOP SKI WEEKENDS. Thus, the skiers and boarders may buy in these time periods the three and four days ski passes with 20% discount. In this company, they have already got many plans for the next season, such as the new garage construction on Kopaonik and since Serbia misses new ski resorts, the prospect ski resorts on Golija and Goč are considered, as well. |
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TOP SKI VIKENDI 2017 |
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23. - 26. february
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9. – 12. march
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30. march – 2. april |
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ISTN provides attached the price list of the Ski Resorts of Serbia for the winter season 2016/2017. |
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THE DAYS OF WINE, LOVE AND DISCOUNTS |
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Junaković Spa, which organizes a special program under the title The Wine and Love Days (February 14 – 16, 2017, with the option to have the third full board free of charge on February 16 – 17), arrives at the Belgrade Tourism Fair (February 23 – 26, 2017, Belgrade Fair Hall 4) with the special action having started on January 1 and lasting till April 1, 2017. The action understands getting a day free of charge on each paid 7 days and 2 days free of charge at the paid 14 days. The additional 10% discount is provided for the full advance payment 10 days before the staying beginning.
As declared by the Management of the Junaković Spa, for which the applying is going on for the vouchers of the Government of Serbia to the amount of RSD.5,000, “We offer our guests the use of the curing thermal swimming pool and water (35°C) and the curing thermal water in the bathrooms of all rooms, recreation walks on the Health Path, an hour of free bowling daily at the eight lane bowling unit Junaković Spa, table tennis, bocce, biking, free use of the Wellness Center for an hour daily (sauna, Tepidarium, bodytherm sauna, relax swimming pool for two persons), dance evenings and cultural / artistic program, live music every Saturday and a playroom for children. We also enable a visit to the Sombor National Theater or cinema and organize also the city of Apatin sightseeing (center of the city, St. Apostle Church at the Danube, Apatin Marina and others).
During the Belgrade Tourism Fair, Junaković Spa will be located at Belgrade Fair Hall 4.
ISTN provides attached the current packages and programs of Junaković Spa |
 
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THE GUEST CUSTOMIZED STAYING |
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Spas in Serbia have got a long treatment and organized tourism tradition and Kanjiža Spa, having the curing mud and thermal mineral water with the temperature of 51 to 72°C, a sport hall, two indoor swimming pools and a restaurant with 300 seats, approaches by its offer both families and individuals and businessmen, sport teams, organized groups, Retired persons Associations and Trade Unions. Since the first days of January this year, applying began for the vouchers of the Government of Serbia to the amount of RSD.5,000 in Kanjiža Spa.
Kanjiža Spa participates in the forthcoming Belgrade Tourism Fair (February 23 – 26, 2017) at the stand of the Tourism Organization of Vojvodina (Belgrade Fair Hall 4) with the programs of medical rehabilitation, prevention programs for Osteoporosis treatment, attractive Wellness programs, such as My Weekend, „Wellness and Sport Team Building, Shopping and Spa Weekend and others, and first of all with the 10% discount offer for retired persons throughout the year.
ISTN provides attached the current programs of Kanjiža Spa. |
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THE DANUBE IN SERBIA – 588 AWARDED IMPRESSIONS |
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The promotional film of the National Tourism Organization of Serbia (NTOS) "The Danube in Serbia - 588 Impressions" entered the selection of the best tourism films at the 28th Grand Prix Tourism Film Festival (CIFFT) in Vienna (January 26 – 28, 2017). The film about the Danube was recognized as the unique presentation of one of the largest and undoubtedly most beautiful rivers in Europe, connecting countries and nations and showing the landscape and historical locality diversity, as well as the tourism trumps at its 588 kilometers long flow through Serbia. In 2016, the film "The Danube in Serbia - 588 Impressions" accomplished well noticed success at the International Tourism Film Festivals all over the world, i.e. in Cannes, Berlin, Warsaw, Veliko Trnovo, Iru Fushi (Maldives), Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal), Los Angeles, Zagreb and at the International Tourism and Environmental Film Festival SILAFEST in Serbia.
National Tourism Organization of Serbia (NTOS) took out the Danube for the main topic of Serbian tourism promotion in 2016, which connects 10 countries and more than 100 million people. As declared by Ms. Marija Labović, NTOS CEO, “A travel on the Danube is like a visit to the European History Museum, full of ‘the exhibitions’ of natural wealth and rarities, deep layers of the cultural heritage, diverse living styles, picturesque cultures, events and tourism features. The Danube is the time witness, it is permanent and permanently changing. Thus, this film message is ‘The Danube is the connecting thread’.
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The recently held Serbian – Greek Business Forum showed medical tourism took special position within tourism. In respect of this interest, since more than 15% of the medical tourism sales structure belongs to the esthetic operations, the LASER CENTER DIVA (Belgrade, 9, Prote Mateje Street) can offer something. It performs DERMATOLOGICAL ANTIAGING PROCEDURES AND LASERS, executing many programs, by which it takes high position at the market. As declared by Ms. Nataša Zmbov, founder of DIVA LASER CENTER, “DIVA LASER CENTER is unique by being the only institution in these regions having ten dermatological and surgical lasers and radio waves. By their combination, outstanding and permanent results are accomplished. Owing to continuous enhancements, the DIVA expert team, dermatologists and plastic surgeons achieve enviable results in the skin diagnostics, treatment and rejuvenating, regardless how complex the problem may be. They carry out diagnostics and removal of birthmarks, warts, fibromas and keratosis, rejuvenating and wrinkle, stain and capillary removal, acnae treatment, epilation definitive and antiaging procedures: 4D combo laser, hiyaluronan, Botox, lip contouring and enlarging, 3D mesonites, mesotherapy”.
At the LASER CENTER DIVA, at which the consulting for dermatological lasers is free of charge, on the occasion of St.Valentine’s Day, they provide 20% discount to all laser and dermatological services and the discounts reach even 30% for various other treatments.
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THE INTEREST IN THE CONVENTION TOURISM OF BELGRADE |
At the 9th International Meetings and Incentive Travel Show for the Region of Southeast Europe Conventa 2017 (January18 – 19, 2017, Ljubljana ), under participation of 145 exhibitors and more than 300 organizers of business travels, conventions, seminars, conferences and regional event planners from 33 countries, Prague, Istanbul, Budapest and Dubrovnik were pronounced as The Best Convention Destinations. As declared by the organizer, “Various criteria were used for the destinations estimation, from natural factors, traffic, tourism and convention infrastructure, through subjective and marketing estimations of the destination, up to the living quality index estimation and the global peace index, having an increasing impact upon the total estimation”. |
At the Meetings and Incentive Travel Show Conventa 2017, great interest in Belgrade was shown, as well. Last year, it took the third place in the category THE BEST CONVENTION TOURISM DESTINATION. As declared by Mr. Miodrag Popović, CEO of the Tourism Organization of Belgrade, „The Convention Bureau of the Tourism Organization of Belgrade featured the convention tourism offer through 40 meetings with the agencies organizing this type of tourism. We met the conventiona organizers from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Russia, Hong Kong, Sofia and other destinations. |
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Beside the meetings planned in advance, much more discussions were organized, owing also to the prestigious title, the fact the capital of Serbia is an increasingly popular destination, but also due to the stability and security, which, in respect of the last turbulences, became an important element that determines the potential meeting organizers“.
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The Anniversary 10th Conventa 2018, will be held on January 24 – 25, 2018. |
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THE GREEN AND ACTIVE TOURISM |
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The International Jakob Award for quality in tourism, awarded at the NATOUR ALPE-ADRIA, the specialized fair and stock exchange with the offer of green and active tourism (February 1 – 4, 2017, Ljubljana), was granted this year to the project Karavanke Unesco Global Geopark with the topic „Innovative Tourist Programs for Active Holidays in Nature's Environment“. At this Fair, which is, as declared by the organizer, „The event for travellers, sportsmen, mountaineers, backpackers, active recreation sportsmen, joggers, cyclists, lovers of adrenaline sports in nature, finding out directly the experiences from specific destinations“, the Tourism Organization of Vojvodina, together with Tourism Organizations of Vršac, Novi Bečej, Bela Crkve, Kovin, Bačka Palanka, Žabalj, Irig and Sremski Karlovci, participated, as well, under the slogan “Vojvodina, the place of beautiful memories”.
The NATOUR ALPE – ADRIA Fair, attended, beside Slovenia, also by Italy, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Germany and other countries, is followed also by business meetings with travel agencies, prospect investors and the interest association representatives, as well as many presentations and conferences.
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A NEW HOTEL IN BELGRADE |
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A new hotel – SAINT TEN started operation at the pass from the old year into the new one, in Belgrade. This newly opened boutique hotel in a building being a monument of culture at Vračar, in St. Sava Street, quite close to the St.Sava Church and Slavija Square, takes more than 3,500 sq. m. and it is a connection of the traditional and modern style. It has got 56 rooms and apartments, 5 conference halls, relax zone and Sanctus restaurant.
As declared by the hotel management, „New year is the right time for us to show and prove the Vračar Mate, as we like calling our hotel, is not only a beautiful catering expert, but also an experienced gastronome and creator of the utmost culinary specialties“.
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+ 381 11 3122855
