The Belgrade International Tourism Fair(ITF) in Belgrade, opened officially in the capital city of Serbia (former Yugoslavia situated in the east of Europe).
The management of the fair honored Egypt as a partner country (guest of honor) for Serbia in this fair which was held for the first time in 42 years.
The ITF runs over the days from February 20 to 23, in Belgrade, the Serbian capital.
Ghada Shalaby, Deputy-Minister of Tourism and Antiquities delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.
Ambassador Amr El-Gouili, Egypt’s envoy to Serbia, a number of high-ranking official officials and senior representatives of the tourism and travel sector attended the opening ceremony. The ceremony has received wide media coverage in Serbia.
During the ceremony, two promotional films were screened of the most important tourist and archaeological sites in Egypt.
Shalaby, in her speech at the opening of the fair, pointed out to the growing relations between both Egypt and Serbia in the sector of tourism during the current period.
She revealed that the dual cooperation will increase significantly within the two years to come.
The two countries coordinate to set international strategies and policies, especially as Egypt chairs the Commission on Sustainable Tourism at the World Tourism Organization and Serbia is the vice-president of this committee.
The Deputy- Minister stressed that her ministry is keen on the on the official representation through the attendance of that fair.
"It is an important opportunity to review the persity that tourism destinations in Egypt enjoy for the Serbian people," she said.
She pointed out that the current year will witness a number of important events that sustain the unique pointing out that this year will witness a number of pioneering events that enhance cultural treasures in Egypt.
Those events, such as the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), can also play a role in supporting communications with the outer world.
She shed light on the benefits of geographic proximity of the two countries and the direct flights which take three hours only.
These factors qualify Belgrade to become a center of the passengers coming of the western areas in the Balkan states such as Macedonia to Egypt, and from there to the rest of her territories.
Shalaby touched the noticeable increase in the number of tourists coming to Egypt.
She affirmed that increase is evidence of the stability and growth of tourists to Egypt.
She suggested creating partnerships between the agencies of the government and tourism companies in the two countries.
She praised the merging of both Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt, considering it as a means supporting the tourism sector by the government.
On his part, Al Gouili said that Egypt’s participation in that fair for the first time comes within the development of relations between the countries during the last two years.
Cairo and Belgrade consented to reactivate the joint economic commission and to form a joint business council along with inviting Egypt as the guest of honor to the International book fair held in Belgrade last October and ITF in the Serbian capital.
He stressed the importance of twinning between a number of cities in Egypt and Serbia as a model of communicating among municipalities.
Rasim Lajic, Deputy PM, and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Communications in Serbia, said during his speech at opening ITF in Belgrade, that he is so proud as Egypt participates in the version of the fair. He affirmed that Egypt is the third destination in the world for Serb tourists.
He expressed hope that the coming period witnesses an increase in numbers of the tourists of Serbia and Egypt.
On the other hand, Zoran Radwieck, Belgrade’s Mayor, described a visit to Egypt as a unique chance to explore history.
He added that such a visit is a spiritual and cultural experience where civilization dated back for thousands of years.
The mayor lauded Egypt as an unparalleled destination for those who are interested in cultural tourism.
He pointed out that the Egyptian Embassy in Belgrade works enthusiastically to make the relations between the two states more closer.
The staff of the embassy work to boost the Egyptian participation in various fairs in Serbia.
The mayor went on to say out that Egypt's participation in the current version of the fair is the culmination of diplomatic relations spanning for 112 years.
He expressed his hope to develop cooperation between the cities of Belgrade Cairo to exchange experiences between the two countries in many fields like the one of tourism.
The fair represents the largest tourist gathering in southeastern Europe for more than 40 years.
Contributed by Ahmed Moamar
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