Finland Times

The 37th Belgian Tourism Fair kicked off here Thursday with exhibitors from 50 countries, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as co-host.

     Addressing the fair, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia would continue to modernize its facilities and infrastructure to attract foreign tourists.

     "We will have a great future in tourism, but we will have to work much harder than before," Vucic said, pointing to planned development of roads and railways as well as the "Belgrade Waterfront" project that will give a new image to the Belgrade coastal zone along the Sava river.

     Serbia and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi also signed an agreement aimed at boosting the number of tourists traveling between the two regions.

     A record number of some 1,100 exhibitors, of which some 300 come from foreign countries, are participating in the Belgrade Tourism fair.

     Until Feb. 22, visitors will be able to learn more about international tourist destinations, taste various wines from countries of the Balkan region, and buy authentic handcrafted souvenirs.

     Serbian Tourism Minister Rasim Ljajic expects around 65,000 visitors at this year's fair, and said tourism will become one of the prosperous branches of Serbia's industry contributing 3 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

     Jasim Al Darmaki, acting director of the secretariat for culture and tourism of Abu Dhabi, said that the participation of his Emirate is the first step towards developing an even better cooperation with Serbia.