Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajić and Montenegrin Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Branimir Gvozdenović have discussed a joint entry of the two countries into third, far-off markets in the field of tourism.

At the International Fair of Tourism in Belgrade, the ministers agreed that the first joint tourism offer would be presented in Budapest in late March.

The two ministers announced a joint meeting, to be held by the beginning of the summer tourist season, in order to check the implementation of agreed issues and propose new measures to promote cooperation in the field of tourism.

Ljajić said that Montenegro is one of the most important foreign trade partners of Serbia and one of the most important markets for Serbia, adding that tourism is one of the areas in which cooperation is improving from year to year.

Ljajić noted that a 10 percent rise in the number of Serbian tourists in Montenegro triggers a 15 percent increase in the volume of Serbian goods on the Montenegrin market.

“Our primary interest is to have as many as possible of our tourists stay in Montenegro, because it triggers an increase in exports, and an employment growth, as at least 15,000 Serbian citizens work in Montenegro during the tourist season,” said Ljajić.

According to him, more and more tourists from Montenegro come to Serbia every year, last year the number stood at 60,000, and this year the number is expected to grow.

Minister Gvozdenović said that they agreed on the joint entry into the Chinese market in particular, but also other far-off markets, in an effort to attract more tourists from these parts of the world to Serbia and Montenegro.

“This region can offer something that other regions cannot and it is very important on the world tourism map,” said Gvozdenović.

He noted that last year Montenegro welcomed 1.5 million tourists “and that it tripled its tourism revenues in the last 10 years which is an excellent result.

“Montenegro is pleased with its achievements in the field of tourism. Last year, its tourism revenues amounted to EUR 730 million, said Gvozdenović, adding that Montenegro is a well-positioned tourism destination.