News

11. Ožujak 2008

Aranđelovac, Serbia – destination of many opportunities

On the basis of past political circumstances on the Balkans and even more so due to dilapidation of facilities and dramatic decrease in tourism, municipal assembly of Aranđelovac decided to open an invitation to tender for preparation of tourism development strategy in Aranđelovac destination, which was in the previous century blooming as the popular destination of Belgrade citizens looking for relaxation and rest in the eminent hotels, thermal baths and greenery of Bukovička banja – the central park of Aranđelovac.

Hosting company has accepted the challenge and submitted the necessary documentation on the basis of which it ranked first after the assessment of submitted offers and was thus selected to be the provider of »Tourism development strategy for Destination Aranđelovac«, which would valuate the effects of tourism, detect deficiencies and potentials as well as define the necessary changes and activities for their realization.

During the analytical stage we have examined all resources available in Aranđelovac that represent the main potentials for tourism development. We have also analyzed key problems, which are reflected in absence of links between individual providers, unattractive and incomplete programs, low quality of tourism infrastructure, and lack of accommodation capacities. But we can say this for sure: Aranđelovac is a destination of many opportunities. Historically it is defined by the beginning of rebellion of Serbian people against the Turks; its natural resources with preserved ethnologic heritage offer opportunities for development of agritourism; thermal springs and Knjaz Miloš mineral water give exceptional possibilities for the development of a strong spa tourism brand; cultural events of European level are the right opportunity for artists as well as those interested in art; offer of sport facilities could meet a lot larger demand that it has been at this moment.

Answering the given situation the proposed Strategy offers solution to the problem of tourism development in a way that it locates the necessary measures to the area of inner city, wider town area as well as its hinterland. 

In the study of the inner city town area's offer we have defined the central park – Bukovička banja as the heart of tourism development. We have made feasibility studies for revitalization of existing hotels and construction of additional capacities, feasibility studies for establishment of modern wellness resort, movement of the existing hospital out of the park, renovation of Knjaz Miloš packaging plant into a facility with cultural and conference content and we have proposed dislocation of fireclay factory, which strongly interferes with tourism development in aesthetical sense as well as in the sense of the activity.

In the wider town area we have foreseen mostly sport and recreation surfaces, while in the hinterland we have defined products and programs, which would satisfy the lovers of history, ethnology and natural attractions and beauties.

The strategy of Aranđelovac tourism development was almost unanimously adopted on the official meeting of municipal assembly on December 28 2007. Action plan for implementation of the Strategy has become the key and starting point document for the planning of spatial solutions and the strategy of economic development of the municipality.