Good Forecast for Macedonian Tourist Season

Unlike in previous years when the limited number of foreigners mainly visited Macedonia’s largest tourist destination, the lake town of Ohrid, more and more tourists are showing interest in alternative and less visited destinations.

“This summer we expect a dramatic increase in tourism in less commonly visited areas of the country,” Arsenie Janevski from the chamber told media on Tuesday. He explained that foreigners also seek to visit monasteries, mountains and villages.

“Foreigners who last year spent only two or three days in the country are now looking to stay for ten days,” he noted.

Charter flights from Netherlands and Israel are already scheduled, and the industry hopes there will be more coming from Austria, Germany, France, and Slovenia. Even tourists from Croatia, which has one of the most developed tourist industries in the region, started visiting the country in significant numbers from last year.

“This positive momentum must be seized,” Janevski said. He pointed out that some flaws, like relatively expensive and complicated air travel, the high prices of some hotels, and undeveloped infrastructure, must be addressed in order not to discourage or disappoint tourists.

Last year Macedonia launched a massive promotion campaign in global media outlets, advertising its pristine nature, picturesque villages, ancient monasteries, archeological dig sites, and vineyards. Last summer's tourist season was deemed relatively poor.