"Start the summer today!" is the motto of the 33rd International Tourism Fair, taking place on February 24 – 27, it was announced at Belgrade Fair.

This year’s event Partner Country is Croatia and almost 900 local and worldwide exhibitors participate in the event. The best known local and international travel agencies, hotel chains, insurance companies and various Tourist Organizations will feature their offers. In addition to the great offer of arrangements, which will be sold under the usual Fair discounts during the event, the second successive Wine Fair is held this year within the Tourism Fair, under the title Beo Wine Fair, as well. An important section is the most complete offer so far of the hotel, restaurant, pastry shop, café and other catering facilities equipment.

Featuring the Tourism Fair, the traditional announcement of the forthcoming summer tourist season, Mr. Nikola Andric, Project Manager, said it was insisted upon quality, rather than quantity, this year and, under the existing economic conditions, it was both success and support to take two new participating countries there – the South African Republic and India. He pointed out featuring the Partner Country was very important, as well, since it was the way to promote in details a serious destination annually. This year, 43 countries present their offers at the Tourism Fair and the most individual exhibitors come from Croatia, Greece and Turkey.

Mr. Niko Bulic, CEO of the Croatian National Tourist Board:

- Croatia is a tourist country and we want to present its beauties in the Adriatic Region, but also in the middle or green section, as we like to say. Our objective is that the whole country is included in the tourism sales, although even 95 percent of the tourists still visit the seaside resorts and islands. In a way, Croatia is also a European National Park, since it has got 19 protected locations, but one should not forget the non-financial heritage either – the 11 protected events.

- From 2003 to 2010, the tourism industry in Croatia shows permanent growth – more than 11 million arrivals were recorded last year and the same trend was recorded regarding the Serbian tourists, as well – with 23 thousand arrivals the number of tourists was increased to 90 thousand and the quadruple increase of the number of nights in this period was recorded, as well – from 83 thousand to 427 thousand in 2010. Most tourists come to Croatia from Germany, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy and it is interesting that the number of Slovenian guests exceeded the one of local tourists. Such good results are the consequence of strong investment into this economy branch.

Mr. Boris Zgomba, President of the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies:

- This year’s tourist arrangement prices are the same as in 2010 and more than 90 thousand tourists from Serbia, who visited Croatia last year are the proof they are acceptable. One should also point out that the offer is very diverse – from apartments to exclusive five star hotels, so that everyone can find the appropriate accommodation at acceptable prices. There are some changes as regarding the location selection – Serbian tourists used to be interested in Istria and Kvarner before and a move to Dalmatia was made last year. Actually, the whole seaside became interesting.

SERVICE INFORMATIONThe festive opening of the 33rd International Tourism Fair is on Thursday, February 24, at 11.00 аm, at Belgrade Fair Hall 4.

On Thursday, February 24, the Fair opening hours are from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and the Halls are opened one hour longer on Friday and Saturday. On the last day, Sunday, February 27, the Fair is open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Single entry tickets cost RSD.300.00 and the group visit ones are sold at the price of RSD.200.00 each.