According to the latest report from the European Tourist Commission, Serbia has emerged as the top European destination this year in terms of the growth rate of foreign arrivals and overnight stays compared to pre-pandemic levels, announced Uroš Kandić, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Youth.
Kandić specified that in the first quarter of 2024, Serbia experienced a remarkable increase of 42 percent in the number of foreign guests and a staggering 70 percent rise in overnight stays compared to the same period in 2019, making it the leading destination in Europe by both measures. These figures indicate a sustained and dynamic growth trajectory for foreign tourism across a diverse range of markets, rather than a transient post-crisis surge, Kandić noted during the “Belgrade Manifesto,” as reported by Beta news agency.
Highlighting Serbia’s leading position in Europe, Kandić mentioned the notable pace of recovery in tourist traffic with China this year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 30 percent in arrivals and 57 percent in overnight stays compared to the first quarter of 2019. The resurgence of Chinese tourists is attributed primarily to direct flights connecting Serbia with Beijing and Tianjin, with Kandić expressing optimism that the addition of new flights to Shanghai and Guangzhou will further establish Serbia as a key gateway for Chinese tourists exploring Europe.
Kandić credited the extensive network of direct flights operated by Air Serbia to major destinations as a decisive factor in facilitating the swift return of foreign guests. Additionally, Serbia leads Europe in the number of reinstated flights in the first quarter of this year compared to pre-pandemic levels, further solidifying its position as a top tourist destination.
Anticipating a record-breaking year for tourism in Serbia, Kandić emphasized that the growth in tourist traffic would be driven not only by international visitors but also by domestic tourists who have shown significant interest in exploring Serbia even post-pandemic. He also highlighted a notable increase in revenue from foreign guests, amounting to nearly 600 million euros in the first three months of this year, marking a 12 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
