Greece is still in the first place for Serbian tourists, says the Director of Utah, Aleksandar Senicic, for "Vreme". Despite the increase in prices, there is a great demand for summer arrangements, so the pre- and post-seasons have long been sold out, as well as the main part of the season - July and August.
"Grčka is a destination where Serbs feel at home, yet they are abroad", that's how the director of the National Association of Tourist Agencies (Uta) Aleksandar Seničić explains to "Vreme" why this country is still the first choice of Serbian tourists.
According to his words, around one million guests from Serbia are expected in Greece this year, most of whom decide to travel through an agency, as many as 80 percent of them.
The fact is, however, explains Seničić, that they sell out first before and after the season, for which the prices are the most favorable.
"For May, June or September, it is possible to find ten-day package deals that include apartment accommodation and bus transportation, for only 100 euros per person," says Seničić.
People live in the past
More than half of the Serbs who visit Greece, between 500 and 600 thousand of them, decide on apartments in the north of that country. Despite the fact that prices for lower category apartments have increased by 10 to 12 percent, interest is high.
"New destinations are appearing, with better and newer accommodation facilities, but many citizens live in the past," says Seničić regarding the special interest in Halkidiki, which has not waned for 15 years.
For those destinations, you should also keep in mind the works on the bypass around Thessaloniki, which are already causing major delays, and in the season may require even more patience.
Price increases
"The prices of hotels in all European destinations have risen the most, by approximately 17 to 23 percent compared to last year," says Seničić and adds that interest in those facilities is also higher than last year.
Air transportation has also become more expensive by 15 to 20 percent. The main reason for higher transport prices is the increase in the price of fuel, while the price of electricity is decisive for the increase in the price of accommodation.
"What has become more expensive in Greece are tolls, but also taxes, which have been increased threefold, so now guests pay 10 instead of 15 euros for an apartment for 5 days", notes Seničić and adds that this is the state's solution to help destinations that suffered in floods and fires the previous year.
That is why Pelion, Skiathos, Evia and Rhodes do not make up for the loss with additional price increases, but the price increase is the same as in other destinations. There they are also ready to welcome the upcoming season.
"As far as I am informed, everything has been repaired, on Pilion, where it was the most difficult, the roads are passable again," says Senicic.
Seničić adds that the price of a four-bed room in most destinations ranges from 800 to 1000 euros for ten days.
You can also save a little
What can help save money in Greece this year is the larger free area on the beaches.
"A new law has entered into force, according to which 30 percent of the surface of each beach must be free, i.e. without sunbeds," says Seničić.
It should also be pointed out that non-boarding consumption in the continental destinations of Greece is more or less the same as in Serbia.
"There are also citizens who can plan their vacation in advance, so they paid for the arrangements in November or December, when the discount is greater than the price increase." So that they succeed and save money," adds Senicic.
Other destinations
When it comes to other countries, these are mostly family trips that are organized through an agency, primarily to Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia.
"We have a good price-quality ratio there, and there are a lot of hotels of four stars and higher categories, which provide free accommodation for children of a certain age, sometimes even for two children," says Seničić.
However, Montenegro has certainly remained a traditional destination, which, according to Utah's estimates, is visited by around 300 Serbs, and only a third of them do so through an agency.
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