Meeting of Macedonian, Qatari tour-operators

A meeting between Qatari and Macedonian tour-operators, travel agencies and hotels will be held in the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, aimed at enhancing bilateral tourism cooperation. The meeting will include presentations of the largest travel agencies and tour-operators in Qatar, as well as Macedonia's tourism opportunities.

Research of Macedonian brands' emotional value

Ranking of Macedonian brands according to their emotional value is the aim of the research within project "Brands4ever", carried out for the first time in Macedonia.

"The brand's value should be presented in public, leading to increase of awareness and improvement of its image and perception among consumers", said "Brands4ever" project manager Ana Kjovkarova at Tuesday's press conference.

According to her, the research project emerges at the Macedonian market in a time when domestic brands focus exclusively on the financial aspect, neglecting the power of their emotional value.

Project "Brands4ever" has acquired support from the Agency for Promotion of Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Macedonia, saying it would be beneficial for SMEs.

The research of the companies' emotional value should produce a numerical value for each brand in Macedonia.

Peninggalan Sejarah

Istana Ratu Boko merupakan peninggalan sejarah terletak di kabupaten Sleman tepatnya  selatan Candi Prambanan, bagi wisatawan yang berkunjung ke Candi Prambana ada transportasi antar jemput ke istana Ratu Boko. sebelum masuk ke istana berjalan kaki kurang lebih 500 m kemudian sampai pada gerbang masuk seperti di gambar. 

Salah satu bangunan yang ada di dalam istana ratu boko

Kolam pemandian di istana Ratu Boko

Dutch Tourists Arriving in Ohrid

The first group of 120 tourists from the Netherlands using arrangements of tour-operator "Arke Travel -TUI", arrived in Ohrid on Friday.

A formal event was held at Ohrid-based airport "St. Paul the Apostle", with Economy Minister Valon Saraqini and Netherlands Ambassador to Macedonia Marriet Schuurman greeting the Dutch tourists.

Minister Saraqini wished the guests a warm welcome, saying they should acquaint with Macedonia as much as possible during their stay and convey their impressions to friends at home.

Saraqini told reporters efforts would be implemented this year towards increasing the number of foreign tourists in Macedonia.

"Besides lowering the VAT for tourism services, we have adopted a new rulebook on categorization of capacities, which would significantly improve services offered by hotels. Another measure for attraction of tourists is the subsidizing of low-cost airlines with EUR 4,9 million allocated for the next three years", said the Economy Minister.

According to expectations, nine flights carrying foreign tourists are to land at the Ohrid airport every week.

"Taking into account information we have from tour-operators, we expect about 700 tourists per day from the Benelux countries only. Over 14,000 tourists are expected from the Netherlands this year", emphasized Saraqini while thanking the Dutch Embassy for successful promotion of Macedonia as an attractive tourism destination.

Ambassador Schuurman recalled that such charter flights brought 22,000 Dutch guests to Macedonia last year.

"We are convinced that more tourists will come from the Netherlands this year. I know that Dutch tourists like Macedonia very much, which has been confirmed by the fact that many who came last year are planning to spend their holidays here again this summer", underlined Schuurman.

Warm welcome for ArkeFly and tourists from The Netherlands

The first group of tourists from The Netherlands arrived at Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport, marking the beginning of the tourist season. The guests were welcomed by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, HE Marriet Schuurman, the Minister of Economy, Mr. Valon Saraqini and the General Manager of TAV Macedonia, Mr. Zoran Krstevski. The welcoming ceremony was organised by TAV Macedonia and the local TUI operator. According to the Macedonian tradition, the guests were offered bread and salt, but also cake and champagne.

Macedonia, Northern Cyprus to bolster cooperation in tourism

Macedonia and Northern Cyprus are taking steps for bolstering the bilateral cooperation in the sphere of tourism. To that effect the two countries have already signed a memo of cooperation, which inter alia, includes organization of charter flights for seven-day packages for Macedonian tourists to visit Northern Cyprus and vice versa.

"We have held talks with the Northern Cyprus Minister of Culture, Environment and Tourism, Unel Ustun, which resulted in signing a memo of cooperation in the sphere of tourism," Economy Minister Valon Saraqini told reporters Wednesday in Skopje at sidelines of "Basic Factors for Receptive Tourism Development", organized by the Macedonian Chamber of Tourism.

Macedonia's Government and Ministry of Economy has already launched numerous activities to promote the country as an attractive tourist destination, Saraqini said.

"Our friend (Turkish actor and Honorary Consul to Northern Cyprus) Necati Sasmaz, who is paying a second visit to Macedonia, has been also promoting Macedonia as a hospitable, friendly and warm country for all tourists," Saraqini said.

14.000 Dutch tourists to visit Macedonia this year

The first group of Dutch tourists will arrive to Ohrid on April 27, Economy Minister Valon Saraqini told reporters on Tuesday.

About 14.000 tourists only from the Netherlands are expected to visit Macedonia this year. Contacts have been also established with tour operators from Israel, Finland and countries form the region, he said.

"We wish for Macedonia to become an attractive tourist destination and have been working hard to that effect. A month ago we have promoted the new national strategy on rural tourism development," Saraqini said after opening the Skopje Travel Market 2012 fair.

The tourism, as fast-growing sector that creates new jobs, will also contribute substantially to the budget foreign currency inflow, he said.

International Tourism Fair opens

Travel agencies and hotel managers from Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Turkey will present their latest and most attractive arrangements at the International Tourism Fair in Skopje from Tuesday till Saturday.

Turkey and Greece are still one of the most popular destinations, while Northern Cyprus is the latest offer.

"Tourism, as a segment of economic development of a country, is a bridge between nations that we have to build to establish direct link between cultures and traditions. It lifts all obstacles, borders and visas," Economy Minister Valon Saraqini said opening the tourism fair.

Macedonia, he added, is increasingly promoted as an attractive tourist destination and is heightening its cooperation in the sphere with all other countries in the region.

"The objective is the Balkan region to be transformed into a global  destination that will welcome tourists over and over again every season. Similarities and differences are our trump card, an additional motivation to pay a visit and to enjoy in their natural and spiritual heritage," the minister stated.

He underlined that government's policies were yielding excellent results - the number of tourists has been increased by 25% in the first two months of 2012.

"The best results in the field of tourism in the past decade have been achieved in 2011 and 2012. The total number of tourists is increased by 10.5%, while accommodations rose by 7.6%. There is also an increase in the number of guests from abroad. Higher indicators are expected in 2012 provided that there is a growth in the overall turnover of tourism," Saraqini said.

The fair is visited by guests from the region, EU countries and representatives of top global manifestations and organisations.

"Guests from the region are verifying our common goal, which is strengthened regional cooperation in all economic aspects to provide sustainable development and high living standards. Guests from EU countries, on the other hand, prove that we are on our chosen path to EU membership," the minister noted.

Bulgaria is a partner country at the International Tourism Fair, which is going to present its famous tourist destinations.

Speaking at the event, Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Ivo Marinov said that Macedonia was an important tourist partner of Bulgaria.