Travel agencies "ETC-Travel" and "Fibula", Skopje-based hotels "Hamburg" and "Holiday Inn" and "Makpetrol" in Struga have been declared the most successful in the tourism sector in 2012. The Ministry of Economy on Thursday presented them with recognitions for high achievements in the sector of tourism and hotel management on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

The most successful tourist events in 2012 are "Galicnik Wedding Festival", "Sounds of the Old Bazaar" and "Pivofest".

Speaking at the award ceremony, Economy Minister Valon Saraqini said that Macedonia's tourism sector despite the economic crisis recorded breakthrough as a result of the measures taken by the Government.

"Macedonia's tourist product has become more competitive on the global market and tourism turnover in the country has increased," Saraqini said adding that this has been achieved by subsidising organised foreign tourist turnover, reducing VAT rate from 18% to 5% as well as by promoting Macedonia as a tourist destination.

The Ministry of Economy to mark the World Tourism Day awards recognitions, plaques and certificates of appreciation to the best travel agencies, hotel managers and tourist events as part of the projects "Most Successful Among the Successful".