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Additionally, Serbia has many more emerging conference destinations, such as Palic Lake, Kopaonik and Zlatibor Mountains that are now known only within region. The constantly growing demand for these destinations are positive reassuring signals that Serbia is on the path to become Europe's fastest growing conference destination. "We strongly believe that Serbia Convention industry has a great potential. We expect steady growth in upcoming period," said Igor Kovačević from the Serbian Convention Bureau.

Serbia is an "old-new destination" and this relates to the fact that Belgrade was, over 15 years ago, one of the stronger European conference destinations but nowadays, as Serbia is re-emerging, it is considered once again to be uncovered destination.

Furthermore, there is no question that Serbia offers great value for money. Belgrade is the least expensive major conference city in Eastern Europe based on Cost-of-Living Index by the Economic Intelligence Unit (2006). Thanks to its rich diversity, Belgrade can now offer a large range of price in every service category depending of clients needs. "Knowing that the quality of service is very important for our clients, we have just in the last year invested over EUR 1 billion in hotels and infrastructure," added Kovačević.

Future plans

Serbia has some problems concerning the number of hotels. "Currently that is the biggest reason why Serbia cannot make a larger impact on international market," stated Kovačević.

Further he explained: "Recognising this problem our government has given the priority status for investments in tourism and as the result of that activity we will finish the process of privatisation of the main Belgrade hotels (Continental, Yugoslavia...) by the 2009. During next couple of years, we estimate that Serbia will expand its congress and convention capacities and we are hoping to start renovating one that already exists." He added that in the following two years Serbia will host several events of great international significance, which will attract a considerable number of prospective business partners and visitors from all over the world.

"All of these meetings will help us to develop Serbia as one of the most prestigious and experience destination in this part of Europe, which is very important for us. Only by organising major events, like Universiade or Eurovision Song Contest (Belgrade, 20th to 24th of May 2008), can Serbia make image in the world as destination that is in client best interest" explained Kovačević.

A Compact and Convenient Conference Towns:

Belgrade's primary congress venue, the Sava Center, offers 3,670 plenary seats and variety of meeting rooms. The Grand Hyatt and Continental Beograd Hotels combined offer 716 rooms within five minutes walking distance of the Sava Center. Otherwise, Belgrade has in total 2,966 rooms in convention hotels - 762 rooms in five-star hotels, 1,138 in four-star hotels and 1,066 in three-star hotels. Generally, Belgrade's hotel rates for international conventions are relatively low and represent good value for money.

Serbia's second largest town Novi Sad provides excellent services for exhibitions and conferences. It is close to neighbouring countries, i.e. Hungary, Romania and Croatia and only 50 minutes drive from the Belgrade airport. Novi Sad has a total of 601 rooms, 245 in a five-star hotel and rest of them in three- and four-star hotels.