Investments have strengthened Vojvodina’s tourism capacity, attracting both domestic and foreign visitors
Nenad Ivanišević, Provincial Secretary for Economy and Tourism, discusses the dynamic growth of tourism in Vojvodina, the region’s increasing appeal to foreign visitors, and key investments in infrastructure and branding. He highlights the role of certification, event promotion, and strategic partnerships in shaping Vojvodina as a leading tourism destination.
What is the new budget for the current year 2025, which was adopted in December 2024? Has it been increased, and by how much?
It is of exceptional importance that the budget for our Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism for 2025 has been increased by an impressive 40 per cent, representing the largest budget increase for this body to date. The Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism has seen a significant budget increase, which is intended exclusively for end beneficiaries. In mid-January, we launched calls for support in the tourism industry, as well as for other sectors of the economy. These include calls for the procurement of raw materials, machinery, and equipment, which is a programme we have reinstated. We have also announced a call for support for events, as well as for the congress industry in the territory of AP Vojvodina, to cover as many beneficiaries as possible through the Secretariat’s funding schemes.
A total of 500 million dinars have been allocated for tourism, while 230 million dinars have been designated for the economy. It is essential for us that the Provincial Government has adopted the budget proposal for the upcoming year, which anticipates an increase of more than 20 per cent in allocations for tourism. The priority is to develop accommodation capacities, as there are currently not enough, particularly in smaller towns.
It is a fact that there are never enough funds to achieve everything one aims for while ensuring a positive outcome for all. However, knowing that the process has genuinely improved the quality of life for citizens to a higher level—which is the ultimate goal—remains the most important.
Tourism in Vojvodina is developing at a rapid pace
Can you explain how the incentive measures for improving tourism and the economy work?
It was essential to establish and strengthen a network of partners, as they play a crucial role in creating incentive measures for the economy, tourism, and employment. There is a connection between our programme structures and those of our strategic partners, which has been further developed, making it more visible, transparent, and, above all, more accessible to the broader public and interested applicants in our funding calls. We have also managed to engage more actively with the trends of digital technology use—commonly referred to as “digitalisation”—ensuring better two-way communication with both businesses and citizens. The Secretariat has achieved this goal and has become a model of good practice for organisations on how to utilise modern technology and explore its broader application, particularly in tourism, hospitality, and services.
Through our measures and investments in machinery and equipment procurement, as well as initiatives in women’s entrepreneurship, crafts, telecommunications, and major tourism projects, we have pushed boundaries to support the sustainability of this vital sector and its professionals. The feedback we receive and the situation on the ground in Vojvodina confirm that the results are visible. We take pride in our past achievements as well as in the work ahead.
We have learned that projects are planned for the restoration and reconstruction of the tourist facility at the National Park Fruška Gora Info Centre, located at Iriški Venac, as well as certain sections of the “Green Trail” – a pedestrian and cycling path on the Petrovaradin–Beočin route. What exactly will be reconstructed at these two locations?
The basis for drafting the project-technical documentation is the Spatial Plan for the Special-Purpose Area “Fruška Gora” (“Official Gazette of APV” No. 8/19) and the conceptual design created in 2018, funded by the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure. Under the agreement between the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure and the Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism, signed in 2021, the contract covers the transfer of funds required for the preparation of an urban development project, modifications to the existing conceptual design, and the development of a preliminary project with a feasibility study as part of the “Transformation of the Petrovaradin–Beočin Railway Line into a Green Trail” project.
Following the public procurement procedure by the Law on Public Procurement, on 10 February 2022, the Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism signed a contract with AG INSTITUT d.o.o. from Novi Sad. The contract is valued at 21,596,400 dinars, including VAT. The Spatial Plan envisages the reconstruction of the railway area along the local Petrovaradin–Beočin line and its transformation into a tourist route, the “Green Trail,” designed exclusively for non-motorised movement. This 18-kilometre-long route will enable environmentally friendly connectivity between settlements on the right bank of the Danube, promoting non-motorised transport along primary and secondary roads and linking to the “Fruška Gora Corridor.”
Additionally, the renovation, reconstruction, and equipping of the Information Centre of the Public Enterprise National Park “Fruška Gora” is planned as a joint project of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Provincial Government. The aim is to improve the tourism infrastructure and offer of Fruška Gora. The Info Centre will serve as a central hub with various facilities, providing tourists with information and guidance on their activities within the park. Fruška Gora is rapidly developing as a tourist destination and is already among the top ten destinations in Serbia. Therefore, the Info Centre is expected to become the focal point for tourism development in Fruška Gora, supporting spa, religious, wine, gastronomy, and cycling tourism—everything this mountain has to offer.
We have heard that the Provincial Secretariat, with the support of the Provincial Government, is helping winemakers and producers of other traditional alcoholic beverages from Vojvodina to place their products on tourism markets, as well as at regional business and tourism events and fairs across Europe and the world. To what extent do winemakers appreciate this support, and how valuable is it for their further market expansion both domestically and internationally?
We have successfully implemented a project for the certification and standardisation of strong alcoholic beverage producers. Alongside promoting premium wines from Vojvodina, we have also highlighted the region’s fruit brandies, given the presence of several high-quality distilleries in the province. The goal is to help them obtain these standards, enabling them to compete fairly in the market while also protecting consumers from misuse. Those who obtain certification gain full eligibility to participate in all winemaker promotions and events organised by the Provincial Secretariat.
Foreign tourists made up the majority of visitors
Brandy is a recognised local brand in Serbia, and we aim to position it as an essential part of the local gastronomic offer. By integrating brandy into our promotional efforts, we highlight the region’s unique characteristics. The certification period for this year’s beneficiaries, primarily fruit brandy producers, is three years, with annual supervisory audits. The Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism covered the certification costs, making the process entirely free for participants.
There is increasing support for religious tourism, particularly in connecting religious sites on Fruška Gora, which is rich in monasteries and other places of worship. How is this support being implemented in practice? Additionally, festivals and events are a key part of every local tourism offer. How do you support them?
We have significantly advanced the development of various types of tourism, with a particular focus on religious tourism, as this is an area in which Vojvodina can offer a unique advantage. From the monasteries of Fruška Gora to Sremski Karlovci, which has the potential to become a key tourism hub in Vojvodina, we are working to enhance this sector while also recognising the religious diversity present in the region. Event tourism, along with fair-based tourism, has fully recovered following the pandemic, which had a significant impact on this sector.
Vojvodina hosts around a thousand registered events annually, attracting over 500,000 visitors each year. This alone is a significant reason for us to provide support. Another key factor is the strong participation of women in these events—we consistently strive to ensure that more than 50% of participants are women. Additionally, most stalls at these festivals and fairs showcase local products, reflecting the creativity and dedication of the people who invest their time and skills. Through this, we directly encourage female entrepreneurship and traditional crafts, which are always present at such gatherings and inherently connected.
The Secretariat showcased a great deal at the International Tourism Fair in Belgrade, and preparations are underway for participation in the Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, as well as for presenting the tourism sector at the International Tourism Fair at the Novi Sad Fair.
This year, the Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism participated in the 46th International Tourism Fair, held at the Belgrade Fair from February 20 to 23. Our presence was notable, with a diverse and engaging concept showcasing the tourism potential of AP Vojvodina through the participation of our co-exhibitors. Under the dome of the Belgrade Fair, with the slogan “One Ticket, Countless Worlds,” more than 400 exhibitors from Serbia and around the world gathered, making this the largest fair of its kind in the region.
Our slogan, “Come and See,” is an open invitation to experience Vojvodina as it truly is—a vibrant, diverse, intelligent, and delicious part of Serbia that is universally appealing. We aimed to present it in its entirety, bringing together associations, holders of the “Best of Vojvodina” label, traditional crafts, and all other elements that reflect the work of the Secretariat and the Provincial Government.
A special highlight was “Wine Street,” where top-quality wines were showcased alongside other products from AP Vojvodina, including food products and various alcoholic beverages. The wines predominantly came from the Fruška Gora wine region, which is gaining recognition on the global wine tourism map.
All co-exhibitors and other participants at the Secretariat’s exhibition stands were allowed to present themselves free of charge, based on an agreement signed between the Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism and the Belgrade Fair.
Fruška Gora recorded the highest annual growth in arrivals and overnight stays
Last year, you awarded the “Best of Vojvodina” certification to 28 new recipients as a mark of quality in the categories of products, services, programmes, events, and traditional crafts. Does this initiative continue to promote the products and services that best represent the region’s richness and diversity?
Over the past four years, 70 different products, services, events, and traditional crafts have received the “Best of Vojvodina” label. In addition to the 28 new recipients in 2024, another 12 have had their right to use the label extended for an additional three years.
The certification was initially established in 2004 but was last awarded in 2016 before being reinstated in 2021. This project identifies and rewards the best products, services, and businesses, ensuring that all awarded products meet European quality standards, including HACCP certification and ISO standards. By granting this label, the focus is placed on domestic industry, production, and the service sector of Vojvodina’s businesses. This recognition symbolises quality, with the overarching goal of fostering economic patriotism.
A key feature of the “Best of Vojvodina” label is that certified bodies independently evaluate applications, and an annual review ensures that recipients continue to meet the required standards. Additionally, all certified products must be produced within the province, clearly highlighting their regional origin and the distinct quality of this area.
In the field of tourism, the competition spans gastronomic and wine offerings, organic production, accommodation capacities—including hotels, rural lodgings, and categorised units on agricultural estates offering tourism services—religious, hunting, fishing, nautical, and cycling tourism, as well as tourism events, destinations, and everything that reflects the unique offer of AP Vojvodina.
Statistics confirm that tourism in AP Vojvodina is developing and advancing at a rapid pace.
Tourist traffic in AP Vojvodina increased in 2024 compared to 2023, with arrivals up 2.7% and overnight stays rising 2.5%. Foreign tourists comprised the majority of visitors, accounting for 51 per cent of total arrivals and 52 per cent of registered overnight stays. The number of domestic tourist arrivals in Vojvodina increased by 3.3% year-over-year, while foreign arrivals grew by 2.1%.
Between January and November 2024, Novi Sad was the most visited city in Vojvodina, accounting for one-third of all tourist arrivals in the province, with foreign visitors comprising the majority. The highest annual growth in both arrivals and overnight stays was recorded at Vojvodina’s tourism gem—Fruška Gora. Tourist arrivals increased by 19 per cent, while overnight stays rose by 7.3 per cent.
A structured approach to branding and certification will further elevate Vojvodina’s image
These figures reflect the stability, activity, and innovation of the Secretariat’s policies, which, in collaboration with the Provincial and National Governments, the responsible Ministry, and various tourism organisations at the national, provincial, and local levels, is actively working to enhance tourism infrastructure and the overall tourism environment in Vojvodina. As a result, tourism remains a vital economic sector in the province.
Investments by the Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism in strengthening Vojvodina’s tourism capacity have not only attracted domestic tourists but have also encouraged them to return—just as foreign tourists do. The increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous year supports this trend. Moving forward, a more structured and consistent approach to branding Vojvodina and its products, alongside a strong focus on certification, standardisation, and media promotion, could further refine and elevate the province’s overall image.