"Regional fight" on for Serb tourists

Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro are involved in a "small billboard war", in a bid to attract tourists from Serbia ahead of the summer season. State broadcaster RTS says that at the peak of the economic crisis, experts believe that Serbians will choose their holiday destination exclusively based on the price tag. "Regional fight" on for Serb tourists Since billboards advertizing seaside locations have sprung up, the public has been debating whether the three countries expect Serbian tourists to save their respective tourist seasons. Croatian representatives say that they expect more organized visits this summer, while the billboards are described as part of a campaign that is also carried out in Russia and Ukraine. "This is only the beginning, we will certainly reestablish our relations, and we will do everything so that tourists from Serbia feel safe," said Croatia's Ambassador to Belgrade Zeljko Kuprisak. Meanwhile, Slovenians have decided to simplify visa procedures in order to attract Serbians traveling with tourist agencies to their seaside. "We are not comparable to Croatia," said Slovenia's ambassador to Belgrade, Miroslav Luci, "but we have things to offer." As for Montenegro, they decided to lure more tourists from their northern neighbor by slashing the prices. "Tourists from Serbia are at home [in Montenegro], and the expansion of other tourist markets will not affect the visits from Serbia," Montenegro's Tourist Organization head was quoted as saying. About four average Serbian salaries would be needed for a seven-day vacation in Croatia or Slovenia, which is more expensive than elsewhere, RTS says. In the end, Greece – followed by Bulgaria and Turkey – remains the first choice of those Serbians planning to spend their summer holidays at the seaside, the report concludes.

"Regional fight" on for Serb tourists

Since billboards advertizing seaside locations have sprung up, the public has been debating whether the three countries expect Serbian tourists to save their respective tourist seasons.

Croatian representatives say that they expect more organized visits this summer, while the billboards are described as part of a campaign that is also carried out in Russia and Ukraine.

"This is only the beginning, we will certainly reestablish our relations, and we will do everything so that tourists from Serbia feel safe," said Croatia's Ambassador to Belgrade Željko Kuprišak.

Meanwhile, Slovenians have decided to simplify visa procedures in order to attract Serbians traveling with tourist agencies to their seaside. "We are not comparable to Croatia," said Slovenia's ambassador to Belgrade, Miroslav Luci, "but we have things to offer."

As for Montenegro, they decided to lure more tourists from their northern neighbor by slashing the prices.

"Tourists from Serbia are at home [in Montenegro], and the expansion of other tourist markets will not affect the visits from Serbia," Montenegro's Tourist Organization head was quoted as saying.

About four average Serbian salaries would be needed for a seven-day vacation in Croatia or Slovenia, which is more expensive than elsewhere, RTS says.

In the end, Greece – followed by Bulgaria and Turkey – remains the first choice of those Serbians planning to spend their summer holidays at the seaside, the report concludes.