Developing a national tourism industry plays a key role in contributing to tourism growth, and to promoting the country’s touristic values and cultural heritage.

This topic was elaborated by participants at the third public discussion session organized in Prizren on 4 April 2017 as part of the series “Tourism for Development: Opportunities to be Used” by Democracy for Development (D4D). Participants representing public and private sector focused on how can they can contribute jointly to the development of tourism on a national level through the establishment of a National Tourism Organization.

Hysen Sogojeva from the Tourism Division at the Ministry of Trade and Industry highlighted the benefits of establishing a National Tourism Organization, as well as its roles and functions and the modalities of its financing.

Meeting participants also discussed about the importance of introducing a tax accommodation to increase the tourism budget, categorization of the hotels by law, licensing of guides, and waste management. One of the recurring concerns in this series of public discussions is the need to improve the country’s image as one way of attracting more tourists.

This series of public discussions is supported by PPSE.