Next year, the Government will stimulate the growth of tourism with 3 million Euros which are expected to return in over 200 million Euros in foreign currency income and an increase in the number of tourists.

The Government Spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgjiev informed at today’s press conference that the Government has adopted a Programme for Tourism Promotion of Macedonia and Support of Tourism in 2013 and 2.5 million Euros have been supplied to finance it. The sum is larger by 1.5 million Euros compared to this year. At the same time, an additional half a million will be provided with special programs from the Ministries, which will stimulate growth with alternative, wine, rural, cultural, and sports tourism…

The increase in tourism financing, according to the Spokesman, is aimed at continuing with present Government policies, which resulted in a rise in foreign tourists and higher foreign currency income based on this.

“The Programme pays special attention to subsidies for attracting foreign tourists. The Government has decided to raise their amount above the presently assigned 800.000 Euros”, stated Gjorgjiev.

“The aim of the Programme”, he explains, “is tourism promotion of Macedonia on target markets, establishing this country as a tourist destination in the world, subsiding tour operators that bring foreign tourists, opening new ones and strengthening the brands of the existing ones.”

The finances for tourism assigned by the Government will be intended for organized presentations at a larger number of tourism fairs, weeks of Macedonian tourism in target countries, starting a media campaign and visits to Macedonia by tour operators and foreign media, as well as production of a software guide to tourism for cell phones and mapping tourist attractions.

According to Mr. Gjorgjiev, several new ways to support tourism will be developed, such as a self-employment project for this sector. New businesses will be financed by resources provided by the state under acceptable terms.

The activities to promote Macedonia in geographical aspect are disposed in three rounds. The first is the target market Balkans which includes all neighboring countries plus Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Romania and Turkey. “Most tourists come from these countries. We will focus on promoting and lobbying towards tour operators and citizens. Our focus will be summer and winter tourism alike”, said the Government spokesman.

The second target is the European countries, Russia and Ukraine. Special focus will be paid upon countries that have direct airline or charter flights towards Macedonia. For that purpose the promoters will be given a responsibility for tourists lobbying. - For the Benelux countries, which are our traditional partner, we will be aiming towards an increase in the quality of the offer, and will be focusing upon expanding the winter tourism, said Gjorgiiev.

The third round features the other countries, Arab and North America and East Asia. Regarding the visit trend from these countries in these areas, coordinated tourist offer in package holiday with neighboring countries is planned.

“This program will bring new benefits. The tourist agencies that accomplish new revenues, would allow new employments, the hoteliers will also benefit this program by filling up their facilities. In addition, the catering industry, and the rest 20 associated utilities relating tourism will be supported, by which the citizens, their businesses and the general revenue will also have benefits”, said Gjorgjiev.

Last year, the foreign currency income from tourism in Macedonia brought a profit of 171 million Euros. Each foreign tourist spent in average 523 Euros, of which approximately 100 Euros for accommodation (bed, stay  ...) and 420 Euros for additional costs. Last year's foreign currency income is higher by 20 percent compared to 2010.

In 2011 compared to 2010 the number of foreign tourists increased by 25 percent, and in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year to eight percent.