UN World Tourism Organization Secretary General Taleb Rifai visits Serbia

Belgrade, 28 – 29 June – UN World Tourism Organization Secretary General Taleb Rifai, who is visiting Serbia, was received on Thursday by the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic.

Mr. Vucic and Mr. Rifai discussed tourism potentials and promotion of Serbia as a tourist destination.

Mr. Vucic pointed that the number of foreign tourists had risen by 20 percent over the previous year, which is a new opportunity to promote Serbia as a tourist destination. He stressed that it is necessary to find new models for the promotion of the Serbian tourist offer and requested the assistance of the World Tourism Organization in creating a new tourism brand.

Mr. Rifai stressed that the tourism is the future of the country and that is necessary to capitalize on already existing potentials. He praised Serbia’s efforts in recognizing these potentials. “Today the whole world, and not only the WTO, is observing Serbia with great attention, and Serbia must meet these expectations,” said Mr. Rifai. 

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljaljic, the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia Karla Hershey and the incoming UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

During his visit Mr. Rifai was also received on Wednesday by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ivica Dacic.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljaljic and the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia Karla Hershey. Mr. Dacic and Mr. Rifai discussed importance of tourism for Serbian economy.

Minister Dacic informed the Mr. Rifai about the activities that Serbia taking in this field and stressed Serbia’s commitment to further development of tourism and outlined the modalities for further cooperation with UNWTO. He also expressed his gratitude to Mr. Rifai for excellent cooperation over the past eight years of his mandate.

UN World Tourism Organization Secretary General Taleb Rifai made concrete proposals for the improvement of tourism in Serbia and conveyed organization’s willingness to support this process.