Tourism Minister Gvozdenović in Belgrade: Regional cooperation key to sustainability and growth

Belgrade, Serbia (20 November 2014) – Tourism is a backbone industry for Montenegro’s and region’s growth and development and a means to improve bilateral cooperation in the region, Minister for Tourism and Sustainable Development Branimir Gvozdenović said during his meeting in Belgrade with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunications of the Government of Serbia Rasim Ljajić.

Our good relations should be upgraded through an exchange of experience in the area of rural development and diversification of rural economy, with an emphasis on tourism potentials, ski resorts, and cross-border cooperation, including applying for EU funds, Mr Gvozdenović noted at the meeting.

He also noted that the two countries have complementary economic systems and that tourism plays an important role in both countries. Montenegro is devoted to improving the business environment in accordance with sustainability principles and challenges of the contemporary markets, Mr Gvozdenović has underlined.

The two officials discussed the agreement on the union of tourist agencies’ associations South-Eastern Europe, which promotes joint promotion of the signatory countries in global markets. Mr Gvozdenović announced the forthcoming meeting due to take place in Montenegro in Q2 of 2015, where line ministers are set to discuss and align solutions to administrative issues in order to attract more tourists from far-away destinations.