The initial conference for the cross-border cooperation project “New Outdoor Locations for Enhanced Quality of the Tourism Product – Open Air Everywhere” was held in Užice. This significant project, supported by the European Union, aims to enhance tourism products and services in the cross-border region. The project is being implemented through a partnership between the Tourist Organization of the Western Serbia region, the Association for NERDA Development, the city of Tuzla, and the Tourist Community of Tuzla.
The Mayor of Užice, Jelena Raković Radivojević, expressed her satisfaction with the continuation of cooperation between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically between the cities of Užice and Tuzla. She emphasized that the previous joint projects, worth 2.1 million euros, have already improved the quality of life for the citizens of Užice and the surrounding areas. She believes that this new project, worth almost 400,000 euros, will further contribute to the development of tourism and the enhancement of the tourism offer in the Zlatibor District and the Tuzla Canton.
Martin Klaucke, Head of Sector II Operations at the EU Delegation to Serbia, highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in tourism, with a special emphasis on rural and green tourism as key aspects of this project. He noted that this project has the potential to contribute to the development of ecological parks in Bosnia and Herzegovina and camps in Serbia, as well as overall tourism improvement in the region.
Dunja Đenić, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth, stressed the importance of selecting the right tourism product and a strategic approach in planning project activities to achieve long-term goals, including an increase in the number of tourist arrivals.
Zijad Lugavić, Mayor of Tuzla, emphasized that this is already the fourth cross-border cooperation project between Tuzla and Užice, which confirms the close connection and joint dedication to developing tourism products.
Miroslav Rađen, Director of the Tourist Organization of the Western Serbia region, highlighted the importance of the five tourism projects being implemented in the Zlatibor District, with a total value of 1,789,988.11 euros. These projects encompass various aspects of tourism, from rural and green tourism to the development of pedestrian corridors and the revitalization of old railways.
This initial conference marks the beginning of the implementation of the “Open Air Everywhere” project and the partnership between the Western Serbia region, the Association for NERDA Development, the city of Tuzla, and the Tourist Community of Tuzla, with the aim of enhancing tourism and the quality of tourism products in the cross-border region. The project is expected to contribute to the development of tourism and the improvement of the tourism offer, benefiting both local communities and visitors to these beautiful regions.
