"Ecotourism chance for Serbia" - minister

"Ecotourism chance for Serbia" - minister

Opening the Eco Market at the lake, Ljajić said that ecotourism has been developing and flourishing in Europe and the rest of the world.

“This is a chance for Serbia. We want to position tourism as an important industry, having in mind the natural resources and treasures Serbia has,” Ljajić said.

The UN Development Program (UNDP) allocated EUR 25,000 for the construction and design of the Eco Market and the Surdulica municipal budget provided another EUR 25,000 for the purpose.

The opening of the market was attended by UNDP Permanent Representative Irena Vojackova-Sollorano, as well as the officials of the Coca-Cola company and the Surdulica municipality.

Sollorano said that she is particularly pleased that the market was completed just in time for the tourist season and noted that Lake Vlasina offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in Serbia.

This model should be used as a good example elsewhere in Serbia too, she said.

Surdulica Mayor Novica Tončev said that the ecotourism program at Vlasina Lake has been implemented for three years now with the assistance of the Serbian government and the UNDP, adding that UNDP alone has set aside around USD 230,000 for the purpose.

Lake Vlasina is in the Surdulica municipality and is located 1,230 meters above the sea level. The lake is well-known for its floating islands, Tanjug reported.