The three Balkan countries opened in 2023 have a growing tourism industry – Albania, which according to growth is among the top five in the world, Serbia, which is among the first in Europe in terms of growth of tourism as an economic branch, and Macedonia, as a country that has significant growth, i.e. say excellent, currency inflows. . This shows that we are a four-season destinationIsufficiently competitive compared to all other destinations. This was how the director of the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism, Ljupco Janevski, responded in a statement for “Kosovo Online”. to the question – if The Balkan Open filled itл task.
He thinks the process of tourism development must not stop and the open Balkans must progress and not die out. In the interview, he warns that a possible blocking of the initiative would mean that countries in the region would have to start from scratch. According to him, countries open to tourism and economic progress should consider joining the Open Balkans initiative.
– For me, as a tourism professional, there are no borders, only destinations. And destinations expand or shrink depending on where tourists want to travel. We need to create motivation and inspiration for tourists to explore us as we are. The Balkans as a destination will be increasingly attractive to European tourists who will be motivated by previously unexplored destinations in Europe – said Janevs.ki.
He said that the Balkans captivate with their gastronomic concept, but also with their nature, their possibilities for adventure tourism and their culture rich in multiculturalism. According to him, political and economic issues must be separated and the initiative for an open Balkans must continue, because tourism hasл who benefit most from common performance and markets.
– In general, tourism is linked to the open Balkans, but tourism will exist both with and without the open Balkans. However, I think it is a great message for other countries in the Western Balkans and the Adriatic region that we will be competitive enough. We can only do this through the promotion of Macedonia, through the promotion of the open Balkans, because I think that the open Balkans must be based on much more cultural, economic and tourism values - stressed Janevski.
The Berlin Process and the Open Balkans are one, and the Open Balkans should be a catalyst and a successful practice.tickand on how the Berlin process should develop from an economic point of view, emphasize Janevsky.
He adds that it is easy to leave the Balkans open, but that would mean all countries would have to start from the beginning.
– In my opinion, the Open Balkans must be maintained and expanded. In fact, what we expect from the Open Balkans are visible results. An open Balkan should get rid of politics and focus on economics. Focus on improving working conditions for the private sector, but also on networking to be more competitive in other markets, Janevski said.
He noted that a large number of investors have come to the region over the past four years, since the launch of the initiative, that their interest is not waning and that it would be unwise to stop this process.
– The open Balkans represent a great opportunity for investors, mainly foreign ones, because we are no longer talking about two million people, but about ten million people. We are talking about a market that will be even more attractive from a tourist point of view by attractingOha large number of foreign brands in the hotel industry, which will help attract a greater number of foreign tourists – said Janevski.