1. CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA Tourism potentials CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

2. GEOGRAPHIC POSITION CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA Vranje is situated in the South Serbia, Pcinja District Excellent geographic position: - Left side of South Morava river - Pan-European corridor 10 (Salzburg-Tessaloniki) Distance from bigger centers and airports: Belgrade 347кm Skoplje 95кm Thessaloniкi 300 кm Sofia 215 кm Pristina 115кm

3. VRANJE-GENERAL INFORMATION Ekonomic, administrative, medical and cultural center of Pcinja District and South Serbia Area 860 m² Population 87.288 105 settlements - Urban areas of Vranje, Vranjska Banja (Spa) - 103 rural areas, organized in 33 local communities Certificate GOOD BUSINESS CLIMATE Awards “The healthiest city“ “The city of future” Eco region CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

4. STRATEGIC PLANNING Spatial Plan for territorial area for City of Vranje 2011-2020 1. Defined and classified areas suitable for tourism development - Primary centres- Vranje, Vranjska Banja (Spa) and Besna Kobila Mountain - Secondary centres- “Prvonek” Dam (surrounding area under dam), Aleksandrovacko Lake, “Przar”, rural areas with two new destinations “Devotin” and “Dobre vode” 2. Defined the necessary types of lower order plans for tourist destinations, specifies the operational elements of planning and construction in those areas Strategy for Sustainable Development for City of Vranje 2010-2019 Development of tourism has been defined under Priorities/Detailed objectives thought five Strategic objectives : 1. Infrastructure 2. Rural development 3. Economic development 4. Social Development 5. Environmental protection In accordance with Regional Spatial Plan for South Morava and Spatial plan of Republic of Serbia Regional Development Strategy for Jablanica and Pcinja Districts 2008-2012 Tourism Development Plan for Jablanica and Pcinja Districts, 2007 Tourism Development Action Plan for Jablanica and Pcinja Districts, 2009 CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

5. STATISTICAL DATA 1.Accommodation capacities in administrative territory of city of Vranje Vranje - 3 hotels with 255 beds (public enterprises property) - 7 hotels and guests houses 125 beds (private property) Vranjska Banja (Spa) - Hotel with 65 beds and Special Hospital for Rehabilitation with 118 beds (public enterprises property) - 11 Guests houses 35 beds (private property) Besna Kobila Mountain - Mountain house 60 beds (public enterprise property) ArrivalsOvernight stays Total visitorsDomesticForeignTotal visitorsDomesticForeign 2010 14.36311.9672.39662.32058.1464.174 2009 14.00712.0742.03355.25551.5743.681 2008 17.75014.8931.85769.86366.3613.402 CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

6. POTENTIALS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT 1. Natural conditions and recourses Relief The most territory of City of Vranje is located in Vranje basin, the South Morava river valley and surrounded by mountains. Very good climate conditions The most part moderate-continental climate, the mountain peaks above 1400 m sub-mountain climate. Insulation Area with the highest number of sunny days per year in Serbia Huge water resources in the hot springs, rivers, lakes (Vranjska Spa, Prvonek Dam, Pcinja river, Aleksandrovacko Lake) Attractive natural settings with great biodiversity (Besna Kobila Mountain, areas of Poljanica, Barelic and Prvonek villages) CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

7. Vranjska Banja (Vranjska Spa) Vranjska Banja is located 12 km to the southeast of Vranje at the altitude of 400 m. Spa with one of the warmest mineral water in Europe (94-110°С) with great capacity 140 lit/sec. Represents a kind of ecological oasis with great potential for spa and balneological tourism. Long tradition of healing - for treatment of post traumatic conditions and a series of disorders (Disorders of locomotive apparatus, neurological disorders, gynecological disorder, skin conditions), for preparation of athletes, sport, recreation and for vacations. Accommodation capacities - Hotel ”Sofka” (65 beds) with restaurant “Kicer”, Special Hospital for Rehabilitation (118 beds) and private accommodation (35 beds). Vranjska Banja is one of the rare Royal Spas in Serbia and a member of the Association of Royal Spas of Europe CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA More information: Tourist Organization Info center and www.vranjskabanja.co.rswww.vranjskabanja.co.rs

8. Besna Kobila Mountain Besna Kobila Mountain is placed 35 km east from City of Vranje and 25 km from Vranjska Banja (Vranjska Spa) and 40 km from Bulgarian border This is an unique and attractive natural site with great biodiversity One of the major characteristics of Besna Kobila are wild, self-grown plants and wild fruits, various flora with over 700 different species of plants. There are also mountain pastures, woods, clean soil, water and air. Excellent conditions for ski tourism in a winter and other sorts of mountain tourism, eco- tourism, hunting tourism, and sport and recreation. Accommodation capacities- Mountain house with 60 beds and restaurant Lot of activities on revitalization and development of this tourist destination CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA More information: www.besnakobila.rswww.besnakobila.rs

9. Prvonek Dam and Aleksandrovacko Lake Prvonek Dam is located 10 km east from Vranjska Banja Spa and it is one of the biggest sand dam in Serbia with capacities for water supplying 3 Municipalities (Vranje, Bujanovac and Preshevo). Dam construction is great tourist attraction and in under the dam construction, on river Banjstica is placed new Aquatorium surrounded with untouched nature. New tourist destination that will be developed (hotel, modern tourist settlement, sport tereni). Very good for picnic, vacation, sport and recreation for citizens of all Pcinja district and domestic and foreign visitors from Vranjska Banja (Spa). Aleksandrovacko Lake is 6 km west from Vranje and it is traditional place for picnic and vacation for citizens of Vranje. Very good conditions for sport and recreation and village tourism. Revitalization and development of this touristic destination is one of our aims. CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

10. 2. Anthropogenic recources Very rich historic, cultural and ethnological heritage - In ancient time territory of Vranje was on Roman’s road called “Via Militaris” and there are lot of archeological sites (Izom near Vranjska Banja, Kale Krsevica in Municipality of Bujanovac) - There are some medieval sites (Markovo Kale from XV century) - Unique architecture-houses from XVII-XIX century which are Museums today - Many churches and monasteries in Vranje and surrounding area (St. Nikola’s Church, Church of Holy Trinity, Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, St.Stefan Monastery and St. Prohor Pcinjski in Municipality of Bujanovac) - Birth houses of famous Serbian writer Bora Stankovic and St. Justin Popovic - Vranje is famous for music, folklore, food, specific dialect-6 festivals Markovo Kale XV Cery CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

11. MARKOVO KALE NATIONAL MUSEUM WHITE BRIDGE THE MOST FAMOUS MONUMENTS HOUSE OF BORA STANKOVIC PASHA RESTING HOUSE HAMAM-TURKISH BATHROOM

12. CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES CHURCH OF HOLY TRININTYST. NIKOLA’S CHURCH ST. STEFAN’S CHURCHMONASTERY ST. PROHOR PCINJSKI CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

13. CHALENGES IN VRANJE MUNICIPALITY AND REGION The continuing slow pace of the privatization process Insufficient capacities (human resource trainined in hospitality management, accommodation capacities, infrastructure) Poor signage and route information throughout the region Out-migration of youth to urban areas and overseas Low level of tax collection from visitor accommodation that could be used for developing tourism in the region The lack of resources for archaeological and cultural development that would support some attractions Weak regional tourism image and lack of national marketing Political interference at operational level or bad conditions and insufficient support of public sector development from the side of state authorities Strong regional competition from other tourism destinations Political instability with possibilities for conflict reigniting in certain parts of the Balkan region Development of accommodation facilities with lack of product orientation and needs of target groups Insufficient co-operation between actors on horizontal and vertical level Low budget of local government-lack of financial recourses CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA

14. STRENGTH AND OPPORTUNITIES OF CITY OF VRANJE AND REGION CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA Very attractive areas with great biodiversity and untouched nature-eco region Ethnic and cultural diversity Numerous archaeological sites in the region Excellent geographic position Pan- European corridor X runs through the region and brings significant traffic to and through it from Central Europe, Belgrade, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey Hospitality and naturally gifted inhabitants for work in tourism industry (openness, kindness, heartiness) Will and preparedness for progress and development Exploiting the growth in niche market tourism, for example in adventure sports activities, archaeology/history, rural and agro-tourism Identification of USPs and development of core products for recognized target groups and construction of accommodation facilities according to recognized needs Developing tourism through an integrated resort approach for some areas which could be taken up by the private sector The potential for developing tourism by capturing transit visitors for short stays Developing the possibilities for establishing cross-border regional tourism initiatives, for example with Bulgaria and Macedonia in the first instance EU integrations and usage of EU funds

15. The city with the soul “Let everyone who comes to Vranje watch out his soul not to melt, because in this city these is something not for the eyes to see or hands to hold, it is for the heart and the soul and here those two should be taken care of. “ Camil Sijaric, writer, the pupil of the Gymnasium in Vranje

16. DEVELOPMENT VISION CITY OF VRANJE, SERBIA VRANJE, A MODERN CITY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION OPEN AND RESPONSIBLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT + 381 17 402 300 www.vranje.org.rswww.vranje.org.rs kabinet@vranje.org.rs + 381 17 402 314 jip@vranje.org.rs LED Officejip@vranje.org.rs