Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajić has stated, after his visit to the summer stage “Vrelo” that Sokobanja is number one, breaking all the records figures when it comes to the number of vouchers.
In Sokobanja, Mr Ljajić said that for the stay in this destination around 20.000 vouchers have been given out already, which is one fourth of the total number of given vouchers.
He has stressed that 236 catering facilities have applied for the vouchers, which is by double more than last year.
“We are pleased with the touristic season both in Serbia and in Sokobanja. As you can see Sokobanja is packed with tourists”, says Mr Ljajić, adding that the first voucher was given and written here in Sokobanja.
According to his workds, the first voucher was written here in 1837 when, at the order of Prince Miloš Obrenović, the sergeant major Lazarević from the Military Police Administration in Kragujevac was sent to Sokobanja for treatment and rehabilitation.
As he has said, 180 year later, we still give vouchers, and the place with the longest tradition not only in Serbia but in Ex-Yugoslavia, Sokobanja, is making the record.
“It’s a curiosity. The first voucher ever was issued and written here, and now Sokobanja is number one, making the record when it comes to the number of issued vouchers”, says Mr Ljajić, stating that 14.500 tourist are currently staying in that spa.
As he has said, having recognised the potentials of Sokobanja, the Government wants to make this spa centre a more serious touristic destination.
“In the first six months this year we have had 34 per cent more tourist in Sokobanja, 39 per cent more overnight stays and after Vranjčka Banja, Sokobanja is number two when it comes to the number of overnight stays regarding spas”, says Minister.
However, as he has said, all this is not enough, since the goal is to make the number of foreign tourists even higher, since there are not many of them.
“To be able to increase the number of foreign tourists, we have to make a better touristic offer through development of the touristic infrastructure and diversiform and rich offer”, says Mr Ljajić.
According to his words, the summer stage is one of the ways.
“This will be the largest and most modern summer stage in Serbia. We expect it to be complete next year and I believe that, once we have events here, the events will be organised on this stage”, says Mr Ljajić.
As he has added, the stage will have 1.500 seats, and it will be equipped with the latest technique and equipment.
“I think that the touristic offer will be significantly richer and with that we want to use all the potentials Sokobanja has”, concluded Mr Ljajić.
Director of the Organisation for Tourism and Culture of Sokobanja Ljubinko Milenković has said that the construction of the first big stage of the summer stage is ongoing.
According to his words, the entire investment of the first phase is worth 40 million dinars, out of which the Ministry has allocated 8 million, and 22 million are allocated by the local self-government.
As he has stated, the works on the first phase will be completed by September 28, after which the second phase will start immediately afterwards, which includes the façade works, electrical installation, parterre development, etc.
