In 2023, there’s been a notable surge in tourism from Turkey, with a 50-60 percent increase in Turkish visitors, while Serbian guests contributing to a 30-40 percent rise in overnight stays. The newly established Belgrade-Ohrid and Belgrade-Skopje lines notably bolstered these numbers. Janevski, who recently stepped down as the director of the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism (APPT), shared insights before his resignation. He anticipates heightened interest from German, Dutch, and Polish markets for the year ahead.

He predicts strong occupancy rates ranging between 70 to 80 percent across domestic facilities in key areas like Skopje, Ohrid, Krushevo, Dojran, Bitola, and winter resorts during the festive New Year and Christmas holidays. Looking forward, Janevski foresees developments in the tourism sector for 2024, including the adoption of a tourism strategy, the expansion of the Tourism Agency into a ministry, establishment of a tourist inspection and police force, and the digitalization of the industry through an e-platform. These advancements aim to facilitate better planning, yield accurate statistics, curb the shadow economy, and initiate a fresh investment cycle.

Janevski cites personal reasons for his resignation and underscores the need for municipalities to recognize tourism’s potential as a catalyst for local economic growth. He envisions a total 2023 turnover from tourism reaching up to $590 million, reflecting the sector’s significant contribution to the country’s economy.