Ministries and local self-government units by taking an array of measures and activities in the future will have to make efforts to attract as many tourists as possible in Macedonia and turn the country into an attractive tourist destination. Consequently, 4 to 5% of the GDP up to 2015 should be secured by tourism.

This is envisaged by Macedonia's Tourism Development Strategy till 2015, which has been adopted by the government.

"The strategy envisages development of all kinds of tourism - mass, rural, alternative, winter, wine and ecotourism. Negotiations are under way with many tour operators, a 2012 calendar of activities has been made and a new concept of tourism development zones will be introduced, which are going to function like the free economic zones," Minister of Economy Valon Saraqini told a press conference on Wednesday.

He added that the number of tourists in 2011 had risen by 25% and mounting foreign exchange inflow from tourism had been registered.

"The strategy's action plan is divided at national and local level. Concrete measures and activities will be implemented by the ministries at national level, whereas at local level municipalities will be urged to start implementing the tourism strategy," Saraqini said.

Measures are due to be taken to improve conditions in accommodation facilities in cooperation with the State Market Inspectorate, whereas subsidies will be also allocated this year to travel agencies in a bid to attract foreign tourists.