Skopje, 23 September 2024 (MIA) - The country needs to establish itself as a brand-identity destination, which requires investing and hard work as the basis and main importance of tourist promotion. Branding is a process of identifying, creating, and nurturing the unique identity of tourist regions and destinations that will help the country differentiate itself from competitors. Therefore, we must promote cultural, transit and rural tourism, ethno-tourism, mountain tourism, and other alternative forms of tourism for a more balanced and sustainable development of destinations, Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism (APPT) Director Biljana Stefanoska told MIA on Monday, marking September 27 - World Tourism Day.

In the period January – June 2024, compared to the same period last year, the number of tourists increased by 8.7% - the number of foreign tourists increased by 13.7%. The number of over-night stays increased by 6.1% as well, with domestic tourists up by 6.1%, while those by foreign tourists by 9.7%.

"In the future, one of our primary tasks is to promote destinations through marketing, that is, effective marketing policies that will increase tourist traffic generated from countries in the region, further increase traffic from other traditional markets, such as the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Spain, etc. and open new markets. Offers and promotions must go hand-in-hand, on the other hand part of our primary tasks is to also expand and develop the offer," Stefanoska said.

The motto of this year's World Tourism Day is "Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories."

"World Tourism Day serves to raise awareness and importance of tourism and its societal, cultural, political, and economic values. Thus, the future of Macedonian tourism hinges on the development of cultural, transit, and ecotourism, and promotion of sustainable and responsible traveling. Our country's commitment to their development and protection of our cultural and natural heritage, will position Macedonia as a sought-out destination for responsible travel. An important aspect in the development of cultural, transit, and ecotourism in Macedonia is education, strengthening and raising awareness of all stakeholders within destinations on the importance and benefits of sustainable cultural and green destinations," Stefanoska noted.

In terms of market expansion an informative journey throughout the country and business meetings in Skopje and Ohrid will be set up at initiative of the Agency, within the frameworks of the Memorandum for Cooperation signed with the German Tourism Association.

"The goal is to create competitive tourist destinations with attractive and unique resources that should be actively implemented. I will strive to create a tourism national strategy that will outline future vision for tourism, strategic goals, marketing and branding strategy, types of tourism and zones with the largest potential for developing tourism in Macedonia. Creating a competitive tourist offer with innovative and creative marketing activities will contribute to qualitative growth of tourism," Stefanoska stressed.

The added the Tourism Agency's team will continue to cooperate with the Macedonian tourist sector, Economic Chamber, and Swiss programs IME and SIPPO. ssh/ik/

Photo: APPT, MIA file photo