Tourism fair opens in Belgrade with 1,150 exhibitors

The 38th International Tourism Fair opened in Belgrade on Thursday with Slovenia as this year's partner country and more than 1,150 exhibitors from 55 countries, including Croatia.

Opening the fair, to last until February 21, Serbia's Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that "Serbia is safe for all those who wish to enjoy," that "everyone is welcome, from East and West, friends from America, Russia, China and Europe" and that they "will always be welcomed as the best guests" in Serbia.

Vucic announced that the country would invest 10 million euro in infrastructure along the Danube River so that it could be better represented in regional tourism.

Tourism in Serbia is growing by the year and according to Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali, in 2015 alone Belgrade recorded a 14% increase in revenue from tourism compared to 2014, which, he said, would encourage investments in infrastructure to attract new guests from around the world.

Tourism Minister Rasim Ljajic added that tourism could become a "joint regional product", which would considerably contribute to attracting guests from third countries.

This year's slogan of the Belgrade tourism fair is "Where haven't you been yet?"

Participating in the fair for the first time this year are exhibitors from Namibia and Malaysia. Last year there were more than 70,000 visitors to the fair and this year around 75,000 visitors are expected. (Hina)