When you walk in the city or around the center of Skopje, this is not unusual picture. Groups of foreign tourists with camera in hand make photos of every gritty detail, building and landmark of Skopje. Citizens of Skopje already got used to the sight “foreign tourists”, and hotels and restaurants rub hands. The Leader’s team noted these tourists, which especially in summer period are present in large numbers, writes Leader.
The Association of tourist guides, for Leader explained that the majority of tourists who are visiting the city are older and hit for all tourists in Skopje 2014 and Old Bazaar
“Old Town offers fun, and most foreigners who come, want to go there. They are not interested in the standard places for entertainment, such as clubs, as they are impressed by the Bazaar. They walk throughout, as they like the architecture and ambient. As regards tourism, when foreign tourist come they want to see buildings from Skopje 2014, then Mother Teresa, Millennium Cross, Canyon Matka, and some other older buildings,” says for Leader Branko Bosilkov, President of the Association of Tourist Guides in Skopje.
There is interest for visit
That interest for visit is confirmed by international tour operators, who say that the cheap flights lately contribute greatly tourist to choose Macedonia and Skopje as traveling destination.
“I brought tourists from Denmark, they were interested, asked and came. One group was four days in Aurora in Berovo and two days at Park Hotel in Skopje. Last August and September came several groups of minimum of ten people and additionally some came individually because of change in dates. I work in Copenhagen, Denmark and here today they are asking me other interested people from there that they want to come in August and September in Skopje and Ohrid. Tourists who have already visited Macedonia are generally happy, and it is good idea to subsidize the tour operators for every tourist” says for Leader Marjan Nikolovski manager from SEE of the GG tours.
On Sunday are arriving tourists from Mexico
Groups of 10 tourists from Mexico are coming soon, and the idea is to visit Macedonia due to business trip of one member of the group, Eduardo Maganja. For Leader he said that he has visited country several times. He has been in Ohrid during Epiphany, he threw himself in the lake after the cross, visited several wineries, and great impression has left the Old Bazaar. He has conveyed the idea that Macedonia to his friends as great place to visit.
“I want to come here, and if I had the chance and more free time I would come more often. I simply loved this country, people are friendly, good food, I love Ajvar, as well as domestic brandy and wine, you have wonderful wine. Prices are not very high, so the ambience fit. So now, in July for the first time we will come organized. We will stay in Skopje, in Ohrid we have already found accommodation and we will see later which other places we will visit,”says Eduardo Maganja from Mexico.
Increased number of foreign tourists in Skopje
The fact that the number of foreign tourists is increased is confirmed by the data from State Statistic Office. For the period 2009-2013, is noticed increase in the number of foreigners who expressed desire to visit the metropolis.
There was a total increase of 40,000 people, and as well as increased overnights. Out of the total number of domestic and foreign tourists staying in the country, Skopje has one quarter. If last year in Macedonia were registered 701,794 tourists, at least 168,623 people at least for a day visited Skopje. Out of these, even 149,027 were foreigners.
According to data from the Bureau of Statistics, from January to April this year, Skopje was visited by 39,861 tourists, about one quarter of the total number registered in Macedonia for the period – 138,882 people. In the first four months in the metropolis are realized 68,477 nights, which means that on average each tourist is staying at least one and half day in the capital.
Authorities from City of Skopje cited several reasons for the growing interest: “Skopje 2014″, cheap flights and good reviews from foreign tour operators and travel media.
From the City of Skopje emphasize that they strategic follow developments in tourism based on realized various activities that contribute to greater tourist promotion of the Macedonian metropolis.
