RESEARCHSTUDY:

TOURISMMARKETASSESSMENTINFRUSKAGORA–DANUBEREGION

January 2014

ThisdocumenthasbeenproducedwiththefinancialassistanceoftheEuropeanUnionandtheAustrianDevelopmentAgency.

ThecontentsofthisdocumentarethesoleresponsibilityofCampingAssociation

ofSerbiaandcanundernocircumstancesberegardedasreflectingthepositionoftheEuropeanUnionortheAustrianDevelopmentAgency

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVESUMMARY 1

1.SITUATIONANALYSIS 2

GeographicalScope 2

Socio‐EconomicProfile 3

SWOTAnalysis 9

2.TOURISMMARKETANALYSIS 12

AttractionsandFacilities 12

Manifestations 16

TourismStakeholders 18

VisitorsandTourismDemand 20

3.STRATEGICPLANRECOMMENDATIONS 24

LISTOFREFERENCES 26

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

› Introduction and background

Strategic planning in tourism development is of essence for socio‐economicdevelopmentofruralareassuchasFruskaGora–DanubeRegion.Researchtobepresented in this Study is part of integral approach for socio‐economicdevelopment of FGDR, and it was conducted in late 2013 in scope ofinternationally supported project “Sustainable Tourism Development in FruskaGoraDanubeRegion”byAustrianDevelopmentAgency.Mainaimisittoanalysethe current situation in the region, collect and identify key stakeholders,attractions and tourism service providers in order to shed a light on futuretourismdevelopmentprojects.

› Situation Analysis

FruskaGoraDanubeRegionrepresents theareaof fivemunicipalities (BackaPalanka, Beocin, Sremski Karlovci, Indjija and Novi Sad) which are dominantlyrural areaswith exclusion of large urban, economicallywell developed area ofNoviSad.MaindemographicsoftheRegion,socio‐economicprofileandanalysisof potentials for tourism development have indicated the possibility of varioustourismdevelopmentstrategies,basedonrural,natural, cultural‐historicvaluesandtourismpotentialofeventsandgastronomyintheregion.Ontheotherhandkey determinants of constraints are lack of tourism expertise, cooperation andnetworkingaswellaslowimpactofpromotionaloftheRegionasadestination.

› Tourism Market Analysis

Main tourism attractions, manifestations and facilities were elaborated anddescribedpointingouttokeypotentialsforthetourismdevelopmentsinscopeoftourism supply of the Region. Tourism market has been assessed by trend ofvisitors, theirpreferencesanddemand,ontheotherhand,aswellasattitudeoflocalpopulationindicatinghighlyinvolvedlocalcommunityandparticipationofpublic.

› Strategic Plan Recommendations

TourismdevelopmentStrategypresentedreliesonpotentialsof(1)ruralandagr

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icultural tourism, (2) nature and eco tourism along with cultural historicheritageand(3)eventtourismwithgastronomyfeatures.Keydeterminantsoffutureactivitiesarefocusingoneducation,clusteringand

networking,andpromotionofFruskaGoradestination.

1.SITUATIONANALYSIS

› Geographical scope

ResearchanalysisoftourismmarketistargetingFruskaGora–DanubeRegionFGDR in Serbia which is compromising of the area of city of Novi Sad and 4municipalities in Fruska Gora Region, all situated on banks of Danube River,BačkaPalanka,Beočin,SremskiKarlovciandmunicipalityofIndjija.AreaofFGDRiscoveringtotalof1.897km2withclosetoahalfofmillionofinhabitants.

Figure1.MappingofFGDR/5municipalities,DanubeRiver,FGNPandCityofBelgrade

Region is situated in Central Vojvodina, Northwest Serbia bordering withDanubeRiverinthewestandeast,FruskaGoraNationalParkintheSouthandinthe west by municipalities of Bač, Odžaci, Temerin and Vrbas. It covers twoadministrativecountiesofSouthBackaandSrem.WithexclusionofhighlyurbananddenseareaofNoviSadand taking intoconsideration thehomogenousareawith Petrovaradin, Fruska Gora Danube Region may be characterised aspre

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dominantlyagriculturalandruralarea.

Apart from mentioned Danube River (Corridor VII) and with regards toconnectivityoftheRegion,itsgeo‐strategicpositionisverygoodasitislocatedinhighproximityofPanCorridorsXandV.Distancefromthenearestairportislessthan 100 kilometres, it is also well connected with railways towards north to

Budapest (Hungary) and south to Belgrade and west to Zagreb (Croatia). Allcharacteristics mentioned are pointing out to great potential for economicdevelopmentoftrade,tourismandtransport.

Although theRegion isnotofficially classified it canbe recognisedaspartofthe following regions identified by international organisations or programmes:Danube region in Serbia (Austrian Development Agency), Cross‐border Regionbetween Croatia and Serbia, and also betweenHungary and Serbia (IPA Cross‐borderProgrammes),FruskaGoraRegion(MasterPlan).

› Socio‐economic profile

F sru ka Gora Danube Region

As previously mentioned, Region is situated in Central Vojvodina, north‐western part of Serbia borderingwithDanube River and Fruska GoraNationalPark.ItcoverstwoadministrativedistrictsofSouthBackaandSrem,coveringtheareaoftotal1.986squarekilometreswithpopulationofhalfmillioninhabitants.Due to the specific rural characteristics of the area with natural and cultural‐historic values, highly urban part of city of Novi Sad may be partly excluded.MunicipalityofPetrovaradinispredominantlyruralareaofNoviSadandcreateshomogenous area along 4 municipalities of Bačka Palanka, Beočin, SremskiKarlovci and Indjijawith population of around 160 thousand inhabitants.Withexclusion of highly urban and dense area of Novi Sad and taking intoconsideration the homogenous area with Petrovaradin, Fruska Gora DanubeRegionbecharacterisedasruralandpredominantlyagriculturalandruralarea.Density ofpopulation in the region is 253 (125withPetrovaradin, only)whichhighabovethenationalaverage.

PopulationCity/Municipality

Area,

km2

Agriculturalarea,

%

Numberof

settlements Total Per1km2

NoviSad 699 73,6 15 341.625 488

‐Petrovaradin 89 / 4 33.865 381

BačkaPalanka 575 84,0 14 55.528 97

Beočin 186 47,4 8 15.726 85

SremskiKarlovci 51 50,3 1 8750 172

Indjija 386 85,7 11 47.433 123

FGDR 1.986 76,0 53 502.927 253

FGDR**(onlyPetrovaradin)

1.287 72,0 37 161.302 125

Table1.Overviewofgeo‐demographicprofileofFGDR

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Bačka Palanka

ThemunicipalityBačkaPalankaislocatedinthewestof South Bačka District covering an area of 57.865hectares and consisting of 14 settlements. Datapresented indicates that themunicipalityBačkaPalankais among the larger municipalities in Vojvodina. Themunicipality is characterised by very favourable geo‐strategicposition, locatedon theborderof theRepublicof Serbia and the Republic of Croatia, on the banks of

DanubeRiver, just40kmwestofNovi Sadand122kmnorthwestofBelgrade.With regards to the bordering municipalities, Bačka Palanka is surrounded:Municipality of Bač on the west, Odžaci on the northwest, the municipality ofVrbastothenorthandnortheast,municipalityofBackiPetrovactotheeast,andinthewestbythemunicipalityofVukovar(Croatia)andmunicipalityofSidandSremskaMitrovicainthesouthandBeočintothesoutheast.

Accordingtolastcensusin2011,intotal56.438inhabitantsliveinmunicipalityof Bačka Palanka, with density average 98 inhabitants per square kilometre,slightlyabovetheSerbianaverageof93,determiningtheruralcategorisationofthearea.SettlementBačkaPalanka isacentral communitywithapopulationofhalf of the total population while the other half lives in the remaining 13settlements (Vizic, Gajdobra,Despotovo, Karadjordjevo,Mladenov,Nestin,NovaGajdobra, Obrovac, Parage, Pivnice, Silbas, Tovarisevo, Celarevo) out of whichsettlementsNestinandBizicarecountinglessthan1.000inhabitants.

Keybusinesssectors in theeconomicdevelopmentof themunicipalityBačkaPalankaareagricultureandindustry.ThemostimportantnaturalresourceofthemunicipalityBačkaPalankaishighqualityagriculturalland.AccordingtodataoftheNationalBureauofStatistics(2009),themunicipalityhas46.816hectaresofagricultural land,outofwhichthe largestparthighqualityandfertile landwithnearly94%of totalagricultural land.Therestof the landaremainlymeadowsand pastures, and orchards and vineyards. A significant number of majorcompanies is operating in the municipality, namely: Sintelon, Tarkett, Victoriagroup,Nectarandothersmallandlargescaleindustries.

Beočin

Beočin Municipality is located in the central part ofVojvodina, in the north‐western part of Serbia.Geographically, territorybelongs to thenorthernpartofSrem District, but administratively it is the part of theSouth Bačka District. Northern boundary of theMunicipality isDanubeRiverwhichdivides the territory

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of the Municipality and city of Novi Sad. From northeast to northwestmunicipalityisborderingwithmunicipalityofBackiPetrovac,BačkaPalankaandcity of Novi Sad Southern part of themunicipality is on slopes of FGNP. FromsoutheasttosouthwestBeočinissurroundedbyIrigandSremskaMitrovica.NoviSad,whichistheadministrativecentreoftheAutonomousProvinceofVojvodina,is17kilometresawayfromBeočin.

Area of the municipality is 186 km2 and it represents one of the smallestmunicipalities in South Bačka District. The total population according to thecensusof2011is15.726inatotalof5.577households.IntheareaofBeočinthereareeightsettlements:Beočin,RakovacČerević,Banoštor,Šušek,Svilos,GrabovoandLug.Theaveragesizeofthesettlementsis23.3km².ThelargestsettlementisSusek(3.940,7ha),Beočin(3.505,6ha)andCerevic(3.263,6ha).Territorialleastpopulated area is Lug covering 996.5 ha. In terms of population, the largestsettlementsareBeočin(7.839ha),Čerević(2800ha)andRakovac(2.248ha).Thesmallest population is in a settlement Grabovo, where only 100 inhabitantsreside.Beočinistheonlyurbancentreandrepresentstheadministrativecentreofthemunicipality.Shapeofmunicipality isrectangularandextendsinanorth‐south7to10kilometres,andelongatedinaneast‐west27kilometres.Beočinisthe administrative centre and the largest town in the municipality. Density ofmunicipalityis84residentspersquarekilometre,whichisbelowtheaveragefortheRepublicofSerbia(93)andindicatesapredominantlyruralarea.Noticeablethereisalargedifferenceinthedensityofcertainsettlementsfrom7peopleperkm e2inGrabovoto220whichisthenumb rofinhabitantsperkm2intheBeočin.

Through the municipality itself there are no any international or provincialimportant roads and routes. Regional routes through the territory of themunicipality are: Novi Sad ‐ Beočin ‐ border Croatia (only 15 km from themunicipality,intheWest,thereisabordercrossingwiththeRepublicofCroatiainIlok),thenroadIrig‐Vrdnik‐Rakovac,whichisimportantroadsinthispartofSremandthewaytoSremskaMitrovica.ThemostimportantroadisthehighwayBelgrade‐NoviSad(E‐75),whichislocated17kmfromthemunicipality.

The most common economic activity in the municipality Beočin is processindustry, agriculture and trade, and almost 70% of the working population.Processindustryinthemunicipalityemploysthelargestnumberofworking‐agepopulation,which isprimarilyrelated to thecement factoryLafargeBFC,whichforms thebasis of the entire economyof themunicipality. . In themunicipalityoperates other large foreign company ‐ Alas Rakovac, part of the AustriancompanyAsamerHolding.A small number of employees have trade and repairservicesandothersmallscalebusiness.

Theachievementofmacroeconomicstabilityandafavourablemacroeconomicsituationresulted in theemergenceofpositive trends in the labourmarket,butproblemsintheareasofemployment,suchaslackofjobsasaresultofthelackof

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economic activity and high unemployment in the formal economy are stillpresent.

Sremski Karlovci

SremskiKarlovci liesonthebanksoftheDanubeandslopesofFruskaGora11kilometres fromNoviSadand57 kilometres from Belgrade. Geographically located inthe northeast of Srem, but administratively belongs tothe South Bačka District. By area of 50,3 squarekilometres and number of inhabitants, 8.819 itrepresents the smallest municipality in the district.Densityofpopulation,173 isabove theSerbianaverage

whichismainlybecausethemunicipalityofSremskiKarlovciwasgiventhestatusas a cultural‐historical and religious centre.The territoryof theMunicipalityofSremKarlovciisborderingwithNoviSadtothenorthandtwomunicipalitiesofSremdistrictinthesouth,IndjijaandIrig.

Within 10 kmdistance from the highwayE‐75 (Budapest‐Belgrade‐Nis), andnearbyhighwayE‐70(Zagreb‐Belgrade)administrative‐territoriallocationofthemunicipallyisprovidingthegoodconnectivityywiththerestoftheneighbouringmunicipalities and districts for efficient development of various types ofeconomicactivity,focusingontourism.OfparticularimportanceisproximityandgoodtransportroutestoNoviSadandBelgrade,thelargesttouristcentresinthestate.

Only 50,3% of the total area of the municipality represents the share ofagriculturalland,whichismuchlessthantheaverageinVojvodina(82,8%)orinthe South Bačka District (81,1%). The largest percentage of the workingpopulationisemployedinmanufacturingfollowedbythetradesector,education,transport, government and health. Sremski Karlovci represent the historicalreligiousandeducationalSerbiancentrefrom,18thand19thcenturies.

Indjija

Indjija is located in the south‐western part of SremDistrict, and it is the third largest town in Srem (largertownsarecityofSremskaMitrovicaandMunicipalityofRuma). Municipality covers an area of 385 km² andconsists of 11 settlements, Indjija being the centre,Beska, Krcedin, Ljukovo, Jarkovci, Maradik, NoviKarlovci, Novi Slankamen, Slankamenacki Vinogradi,Stari Slankamen and Cortanovci. Indjija has 48075

inhabitantanddensityofpopulationper1squarekilometreof125,slightlyabove

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thenationalaverageof93.Accordingtothedensityofthearea,IndjijaisclassifiedasruralmunicipalityborderingwithNoviSad,SremskiKarlovciandTitel inthenorth, Zrenjanin and Stara Pazova in the East and South, while on west twomunicipalitiesofSremarelinkedtoIndjija,IrigandRuma.

CityofIndjijahasadvantageousgeo‐strategicpositionbeing42kmawayfromBelgrade and 35 km from Novi Sad. Indjija is considered as location withfavourable positionwith ideal conditions for the development of road and railtransport,aswellasoveralleconomicdevelopmentofthearea.Themainfactorof economic development of the Municipality of Indjija is agriculture, industryandsmallbusinesses(craftshops,smallandmediumenterprises).Indjijaisalsowell known for establishment of work zones enabling the construction of newindustrialcapacityandthepossibilityofpermanentdislocationofindustryfromthe residential parts of themunicipality,which primarily reflects the quality oftheenvironmentinthecityandsurroundingsettlement,aswellasthequalityofworkingconditionsandproduction.ThefactthatIndjijahastwofullyfunctional,equipped industrial work zones, which can have a remarkable geographic andtrafficposition,setsIndjijaatthetop"businesslocationoffers"inSerbiaintermsofpotentialandattractivenessofinvestment.

Novi Sad

The City of Novi Sad is administrative centre of theSouth Back district and Autonomous Province ofVojvodina situated on Banks of Danube River covering699 ha across two municipalities, Novi Sad andPetrovaradin. Population of City ofNovi Sad is 341.625inhabitantswithdensityof488inhabitantsper1squarekilometre. City of Novi Sad is only urban area in theDistrict with high rate of economic development, low

shareofagriculturalactivities.

Novi Sad has an exceptionally favourable natural‐geographic as well aseconomicgeographicposition, taking intoaccount its surroundingsand the factthatitstandsonacrossroadoflandandwaterroads.Itislocatedontheeasterntourist route which connects the North, Central, and West Europe with theAdriatic,Aegean, andBlack Sea. The significance of this route, and also ofNoviSad,isevenmoreemphasisedthankstotheCorridorVII(theDanubeRiver)andCorridor X (Central Europe – the Black and Aegean Sea), which have a directimpactonthisarea.TheCityliesonthemainEuropeanЕ‐75route,whichisthemain artery for Southern, Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, thistransport crossroad is located at the distance of about 50 km from theinternationalЕ‐70route,whichconnectsWestandEastEurope.

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Municipality Settlement Area,ha Population Densityper1km2

NoviSad 7.658

Futog 8.326

Veternik 1.941

Begeč 4.343

Kisač 2.967

Rumenka 2.824

Stepanovićevo 4.711

Kać 7.487

Čenej 8.611

Budisava 1.478

NoviSad

Kovilj 10.643

60.989 341.625 488

Petrovaradin 2.591

Sr.Kamenica 3.049

Bukovac 1.391Petrovaradin

Ledinci 1.894

8.925 33.865 381

Table2.OverviewofsettlementsinCityofNoviSad

NoviSadrepresentsthelargestcityinRegionandasadministrativecentreofthe South‐Bačka District and Vojvodina, and it reflects the general economicdevelopment of the region of Vojvodina. City has a developed economicinfrastructure foravarietyofeconomicactivities,amajoruniversitycentreandinnovative business culture and entrepreneurial spirit. As all surroundingmunicipalities gravitate towards Novi Sad, it is also the centre of the overalldevelopment of the area economic growth and cooperation betweenmunicipalities. Based on current indicators of the state of the economy andemployment, it is clear that area of Novi Sad with the environment, whichincludesmunicipalitiesofPetrovaradin,BeočinandSremskiKarlovciacquiredthestatusofasinglemetropolitanarea(themetropolitanarea),whichwillcontinuegrowinthecomingyears.

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› SWOT Analysis

Inorder toelaborateonstrengthsandweaknessesof tourismcapacitiesandpotentialoftheFruskaGoraDanubeRegionanditcorrespondingmunicipalities,detailed analysis was carried out using the SWOT methodology. Use of thismethod enables comparative internal and external analysis of strong andweakpointsof tourismandprovides frameworkfor theassessmentofnewinitiativesanddevelopment strategies. Analysis below shows the elaboration of identifiedinternalstrengthsandweaknessintheRegionwithfocusonhomogeneousruralarearatherthananalysisoffivemunicipalitieswithurbanareaofNoviSad.Whenitcomestoexternalopportunitiesandthreats,NoviSadrepresentsoneofthekeypoints.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESS

› significantnaturalresourcesandnatureprotectedareas(FruskaGoraNP,

BagremaraSNR,TikvaraNP,KaradjordjevoSNR,Koviljsko‐PetrovaradinskiRitSNR);

› existenceofuniqueculturalandhistoricalheritage(Petrovaradin,SremskiKarlovci,Monasteries);

› hospitalityofmultiethnicandtolerantlocalpopulation;

› favourablegeo‐strategicpositionvicinityofmajorairports,railwayandroads(E‐70,E‐75)andDanubeRiver;

› traditionofwinemaking(SremKarlovci,Banoštor);

›

› activetourismorganisationsofmunicipalitiesintheRegion;

ecologicalenvironment–heavyindustryfreezone(exceptionofBeočin);

› welldevelopedvisitorscentres,infopointsandtouristguideservices;

› goodvisibilityondomesticmarket;

› activeparticipationoflocalcommunity;

› tourismmanifestations

› oldhandicraftsandothernon‐materiala

› lackaccommodationcapacity;

› insufficientnumberspecialisedexperts;

› lackunifiedtouristsupply;

› weakanalyticalandstatisticalbase;

› insufficientutilisationofFruskaGora

brand;

› lackinternalcommunicationand

cooperationamonginstitutions;

› lackcamping‐space;

› lackofunifiedpromotionoftheRegion

› insufficienttouristsignalisation;

› lowlevelofeconomicdevelopmentand

unemployment

› insufficientutilisationofDanubeRiver

banks

› Lowlevelofexpertiseinproviding

tourismservices

› Illegalconstructionsites

ttractions

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Table3.InternalFrameworkofFGDRSWOTAnalysis

Withregardstotheexternalenvironment,analysisoftheRegionbelowshowsthekeypossibilitiesandmainobstaclesforimprovingthetourisminFGDR.

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

› supportforclusterorganisations;

› specializationandeducationalprogrammesfortourismservice

providers;

› increaseinsupportofeventsandmanifestations;

› standardisationandcertificationandqualityassuranceservices;

› recognitionofneedformarketingandpromotional

activities;

› provincialandrepublicfunds;

› fundsEuropeanUnion;

› goodpracticeandknow‐howofcross‐borderprojectsand

initiatives;

› vicinityofBelgradeandNoviSadasmainemissivecentresinSerbiaandIlok

(Croatia);

› TourismFairsandTourismorganisations

› Newpreferencesandnewemergingmarkettrends(ecotourism,ruraltourism,

etc.)

› Diversificationoftourismservices(agritourism,

handcrafts,gastronomy…)

› devastationofnaturalgoods

› increasingtrafficandmass‐tourism

› significantchangesinthepolitical

environment;

› weakcoordinationwith

neighbouringregionsandcountries;

› unfavourableeconomicsituation and

impactofcrisisonsomemarket;

› strongcompetitiveregions;

› non‐motivatedlocalpopulationfor

participationintourismservices

Table4.ExternalFrameworkofFGDRSWOTAnalysis

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It issafe toconclude thatFruskaGoraDanubeRegionhasgreatpotential fortourismdevelopmentwhichmaybebasedonruralpotentialoftheareawithhighpotential use of agriculture, old handicrafts, gastronomy and eventswithin theRegion. On the other hand, nature protected areas and significant culturalhistoricalheritagewithintheregionprovidestoopportunity forspecial interesttou drism evelopment.

Main indication from SWOT is low level and insufficient utilisation of keytourismpotentialswhichismostlyduetothelackofclusteringofthesupply,lowcooperationandlackofexpertisewhenitcomestotourismservices.DespitethevicinityofNoviSadandBelgradetherehasnotbeenactiveunifiedpromotionoftourism products of Fruska Gora region andmainly management of visitors iscarried out stochastically, and without any long term aims. Benefits of theenvironmentare inneedofeducatedpersonnelandmotivated localcommunityin futuredays to come,whileuseof resourcesneeds tobeutilisedwith clusterandstrategicapproachandpromotedaccordingly.

2.TOURISMMARKETANALYSIS

WithintheRegion,aspresentedinSWOTanalysisthereisahighpotentialfor

tourism development, mainly relying of the natural values, cultural‐historicalheritage, gastronomy and events. Tourism Resources Inventory II (Annex 2)shows the large number of attraction and tourism facilities within the Region.Fivemaintypeshavebeenidentified,namely1)Agriandethnotourismfacilities2) Restaurants, 3) Wineries and wine cellars, 4) Monasteries and 5)Manifestationsandevents.Infirstpartofthissection,mainattractions,facilitiesandmanifestations,attractingmanyvisitorstoFGDRwillbepresented.Followingtwo parts will elaborate on main stakeholders (governmental and businessorganisations) and key tourism market figures when it comes to receptivetourism.

› Attractions and Facilities

Main attractions within the region are in line presented tourism potential:nature, cultural‐historic sites, gastronomy and events. Among the hundreds ofvarioustypesidentifiedwithintheresearchandInventorydevelopment,severalmostsignificantfortheRegion,will e below.b presented

Fruska Gora National Park – NoviSad

FruskaGora is proclaimed a National Park in 1960 in order to provide itspermanentprotectionandtoimproveitsnaturalresourcesandbeauty.Theareaof active protection is 25.525 ha. Fruska Gora is an isolated, narrow, islandmountaininPannonianbasin.Itslocation,specificgeologicalhistoryanddifferentmicroclimatic conditions make it very interesting and important site both to

visitors, tourism and nature lovers.Thankstouniqueandveryrichdepositsof fossil faunaandflora,FruskaGora iscalledthe'mirrorofgeologicalpast'.

Themaincharacteristicofthisregionistheexistenceofnumerousprotected,rare and endangered species. FruskaGora's valleys are covered withpastures and fertile fields, numerousvineyardsandorchardswhichdecorate

its lower slopeswhile higher ground, above300meters, is coveredwith densedeciduous forests. FruskaGora ishome to16orthodoxmonasteries famous for

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their specific architecture, treasuries, libraries and frescoes and numerousarchaeologicalsitesfromprehistoricandhistorictimesaswell.

LakeofLedinci(Ledinačkojezero)wasasmallartificiallakeonthemountainof FruškaGora, nearNovi Sad, in the Srem regionof theVojvodinaprovinceofSerbia. The lakewas created during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999,when pumps in the abandoned trachyte quarry was damaged and stoppedpumpingthewateroutofthequarry.Thesubterraneanwaters,soasthewatersfromtwocreeks,LukinSvetacandSrebrnicreekbeganfillingthequarry.Thelakecoversanareaof4hectaresanditissurroundedbysteepcliffsfrommostsides,withaslopeontherest,allowingtheswimmerstoenter.Itisbean‐shaped,withlengthofabout400metresandgreatestwidthofabout100m.Theaveragedepthis15m,and thebiggestalreadyreached50m. It liesonaltitudeof300m.Thewater is characteristically green and clear, due to constant influx from feedingsprings,andchillyeveninhotsummerdays.Asthelakehasnooutflow,thewaterlevel continuously roseandrepresenteda threat for thevillageofStariLedinci.Due to its outstanding natural resources, wonderful landscapes, exceptionalcharmandbeauty,thissiteareidealforattractingnatureloversandrecreationaltourists.

Petrovaradin Fortress –NoviSad

Petrovaradin Fortress is located inNovi Sad, on the Petrovaradin cliff,above the right bank of the DanubeRiver. Petrovaradin Fortress is symbolof Novi Sad and one of the bestpreserved fortifications in Europe,which has been constructed by Austro‐Hungariansinordertoprotectthetown

ofNoviSadfromTurkishoccupation.ThepresentdayPetrovaradinFortresswasbuiltfrom1692to1780ontheplaceofformersettlementthatdatesbacktotheprehistoric era. Archaeological excavations in the Upper Town of thePetrovaradin Fortress foundations have documented human settlements datingbacktotheMiddlePalaeolithic‐EarlyStoneAge(about60.000‐90.000BC),andfromtheNeolithic‐LateStoneAge(4.200to3.200BC),theperiodofdiscoveredearth fortification with wooden palisades /Late Bronze era/. With this newdevelopment it has been established that there has been a continuous humansettlement at this site from the Palaeolithic age to the present. During thearchaeologicalresearchexcavationsinPetrovaradinFortresscarriedoutin2005,archaeologistsalsodiscoveredanothersignificant find.Examiningremains fromtheearlyBronzeage (c.3000BC), rampartswerediscoveredwhich testify thatalreadyatthattimeafortifiedsettlementexistedatthePetrovaradinsite.Onthesite of the Petrovaradin Fortress was Celtic settlement in 100 BC invaded by

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RomanswhoconstructedFortification.ThisfortwasdestroyedbyHunsinthe5thcentury to be rebuilt by Byzantines as the Petrikon Fortification. The firstappearanceofthepresent‐dayPetrovaradinfortificationcomesfrom1235whenHungarianKingBelaIVletCatholicmonksCistercianstobuilditsBelakutAbbeyon the remains of theCusum.Recently during the reconstructionworks on thePetrovaradinFortress infrastructureremainsofsettlementandthechurchfromthis period have been found. Construction of the present day PetrovaradinFortress was initiated by Austro‐Hungarians in order to protect them frominvading Turks. Its initiator and creative constructor was marquees SebastianVoban, Frenchmilitary officer, architect andwriter from the period of Lui XIV.ThePetrovaradinFortressdatesfromtheperiodsofAustrianemperors‐LeopoldI,JosephI,KarloVI,MariaTeresaandJosephIIontheplaceofformerfortificationat the inaccessible left bank of DanubeRiver. Petrovaradin Fortresswas underTurkishoccupationfrom1683until1699andafterthePeace‐TreatyofKarlovciAustro‐Hungariansentere andstartedbuildingthenewfortress.dthetown

Beočin Monastery –Beočin

TheBeočinmonasteryisaSerbianOrthodoxmonastery,locatedjustoutsideofBeočin,onFruškaGoramountaininthenorthernSerbianprovinceofVojvodina.Thedateof its foundingisunknown.ItwasfirstmentionedinOttomanTurkishrecords dated in 1566/1567. The Beočinmonastery church is dedicated to theAscensionof Christ. Themonastery is located inBeočin Selo, not far fromNoviSad,on thenorthern slopesofFruškaGora.There isno reliable informationonthedateof themonastery's founding. It is firstmentioned inwrittensourcesasNovosel or Novoselo monastery near Beočin, when it had a small single‐navechurch,thoughttohavebeenbuiltundertheinfluenceoftraditionalarchitecture.A key year in the history of the monastery is 1697, when patriarch ArsenijeČarnojevićallowedmonksfleeingtheRačamonasterytotakeupresidenceintheabandoned Beočin monastery. Immediately on arrival at Beočin, the monksdemolished the old church and in 1708 built a new one of wood nearby.Today’smonasterychurchwasbuiltintheperiodbetween1732and1734,whilethethree‐storeysteepleagainstthewesternwallofthechurchwasaslightlylateraddition.Themonasterycomplexwas fully restored in1893.The iconostasis inthe monastery church was painted by Dimitrije Bačević, Janko Halkozović andTeodorKračuninthe1760sand70s.SerbianpoetJovanGrčićMilenkospenthislastdaysinBeočinmonastery.

Beočin Monastery was declared a Monument of Culture of ExceptionalImportancein1990,anditisprotectedbyRepublicofSerbia.

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P atriarchy Residence – Sremski Karlovci

Patriarchy Residence in Sremski Karlovci represents the most monumentalbuilding from the 19th century in Vojvodina is. It is formed by combination of

baroque and pseudo‐renaissance styles. TheMuseum of the SerbianOrthodox Church, so‐called Treasury, issituated within thepalace. Nowadays, theResidencyaccommodatesthe seat of SremDioceseand it serves as thesummer residency of theSerbianpatriarch.

Karadjordjevo –BačkaPalanka

An oasis of rest, hunting and hors sport, firstfamous for horse farm of full – blooded horses.For tourist visits, there is a chance for huntingground,horse farm,hippodromeandhorse farmmuseum tour. „First May Reveille” is thetraditional cultural, sport and tourist event inKaradjordjevoand ithasbeenheld for25years.Hunting house Diana and bungalows in Hunting

centre Vranjak. Game and fish specialties are offered to the guests. HuntinggroundKaradjordjevo exclusively does the commercial hunting for big game ofhighhunting.ThespecialreservationofnatureKaradjordjevoisfamousforTito’sresidence.

Djundjerski Castle –BačkaPalanka

ThecastleDundjerskiissignificant,whichwasbuilt as a castle summer house in neoclassicismstyle at the beginning of 19th century. Thecomplexconsistsofseveralbuildingsputupinaspaciouspark,arrangedinthemannerofEnglishgardens. It is on a squire’s estate established inthesecondhalfof the18thcentury.ThesmallermanorhousewasbuiltbyMarfiLipotattheturn

of the 19th century. The largermansionwas built byNikola Bezeredi between

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1834and1837,asanimposinglandowner’smansion.Itfeaturesseveralwindowsin a rowwith volute console supported lintels and a series of balusters at thebottom. At its east side there is a baroque portico supported by four Doriccolumnswith a triangular tympanumabove, and alonga garden side there is aterracewithastaircase.TherealsousedtobeaClassicisticpavilioninthegarden,butitislostnow.Theconservationandrestorationworksweredoneinstagesin1985,1988and2003.

Krčedinska ada –Indjija

The left bank of the Danube oppositeKrcedin, with its forest of Canadian poplars,the spacious Krcedin river island, numerousestuariesandponds,isaveritableparadiseforall those who love nature, ecology, hunting,fishing,andphotosafaris.Krcedinriverislandwith its10kmshoreandanareaof9km² isamong the largest Danube river islands from

the Drava‐Danube to the Tisa‐Danube confluence. The Gardinovacki estuary(calledDunavac),leadingtoanetworkofotherestuariesandpondsseparatestheislandfromtheriverbank.

Detailed tourism potential of the Region in terms of tourism supply is presented in Annex II Tourism Resources Inventory – Attractions

and Facilities , as part of this Research Study.

› Manifestations and events

International conference of Eco Tourism – Novi Sad

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Theconferencedealswiththemainsubjectsofecotourismdevelopmentintheregion.Themainobjectiveoftheconference(withvariationofannualtopics)istocreateaconsensusontheimportanceofecotourismdevelopmentoftheDanuberegion and its impact on the economy of the areaa, as well as acceptance ofecotourismasarelevantfactorinrecognisingtheequaloftheDanuberegionasaqualityandwhole‐tourismdestination.Theconferencegathersmainscholarsandstakeholders from the participants, trade associations, nongovernmentalorganisations,governments,localgovernments,tourismorganisationsandtothescientificandprofessionalinstitutionsandrepresentsoneofthemaineventsforthepossibleclusteringthetourismsupply,networkingandpolicymakingfortheFGDR.EventisheldannuallyinearlyOctoberandhostedbyEcotourismSerbia.

Bazaar of wine, tambura and handcrafts –Beoč in

TheeventisorganisedbyCulturalCentreofBeočinincollaborationwith"SvetiTrifun”, winemakers association from Banoštor and women's associations thatare operating in the municipality Beocin as well as local tambura orchestras.Eventisgatheringwineries,oldhandcrafts,artistsandotherfolkloreoftheareaintoFestivitylastingfewdaysandofferingopportunitytopromotetheirproductstypicalofthisregion.BazaarvisitshundredsofpeopleinFebruaryeachyear.Thismanifestationsmaybeusedtopromotesovuen9rsandhandicraftttypicalfortheRegion andmay serve as pilot of the other parts of the region and as well ascooperationamongmunicipalities.

Palanka Eco Spring – Bačka Palanka

The event takes place in the primary school "V. Karadzic" and has multipleimpacts ‐primarilyeducationalandpromotional. Schoolsareparticipatingwiththegardensandexhibitionstands,inart,literatureandinformaticscompetition)and also fair (plants, bee products, objects made of ceramic flowerpot plants,fountains and garden program) is being installed for presentation and for thestudents to sell their products and thus develop marketing and managementskills. On several occasions during these events forums for the public onecological issueswereheld. EcoSpring is organised annually in lateMarch andlastsfewdays.

EventiscompatiblewithpotentialoftheRegionandmaybetransformerasapresentation fair of the Region and also serve to boost old handicrafts andsouvenirsamongpeople.

“Gr đ Karlo

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ož ebal” vac Grape Ball – Sremski Karlovci

Grape Ball in Sremski Karlovci took place from the 28th till the 30th ofSeptember.Manifestation“Karlovacgrapevintage” isaneventthat followedthetraditionofa folkceremony that celebrated thebeginningof thegrapeharvest.During Grape ball the wine capital had a festive atmosphere in honour of thisyear’s grape harvest. Along the central street, exhibitors presented their bestwines on wooden stands, all ready for themoment of truth when wine‐loverswouldpasstheirjudgment–whosewinetastesbestandismostfragrant.Visitorshadtheopportunitytobuyallsortsofgrapes,winesandauthenticsouvenirs,aswellasenjoytherichculturalandentertainingprogram.Gatheredaroundstands,experienced wine admirers and some who are yet to get acquainted withexquisite tastesofwinesbyoldmasters fromSremskiKarlovcisampledMerlot,Cabernet,RieslingandyoungPortuguiser.Nevertheless,Bermet,prideandjoyoflocalwinemakers,theauthenticdesertwineofthisregion,dominated.

Ethno Festival –Indjija

Theevent isheld inJuneinthepedestrianzoneofthemunicipality. ItbringslargenumberofexhibitorsfromIndjijaandsurroundingareawhoaregiventheopportunity to present and offer traditional food, drinks, souvenirs, crafts andtraditional trades. Visitors have the opportunity to see the exhibition ofhandicraftsandsouvenirs,totastetraditionaldoughandpastriesofSrem,aswellas toenjoy the richculturalandartisticprogram.Manifestation isorganisedbyEthno‐Art in June. It isalsoanexampleofeventbasedtourismthat is involvinglocal communitywhich is eager toparticipated inorganisingand takingpart inthese manifestations. Cooperation among the municipalities with similarprogramme iscertainlyandaddedvaluesof theRegionasdestination foreventbasedtourism.

Detailed tourism potential of the Region in terms of tourism supply is presented in Annex II Tourism Resources Inventory – Attractions

and Facilities , as part of this Research Study.

› Tourism Stakeholders

The support of tourism stakeholders is essential for the development,successful operation, and long term sustainability of tourism. Tourismstakeholdersincludemanydifferenttypesofgroupsdependingontheirinfluence,areaofbusiness,possibilitiesofrcooper5ationandgeographicalarea.However,not all stakeholders have the same level of interest in sustainable tourismdevelopment and may be less active or not active at all. Moreover, somestakeholders are more important than others in determining the success ofactivities.Theprimarydatacollectioninvolvedallfivemunicipalitiesoftheregionand focused on primary targeted of stakeholders, excluding the national andinternational level with regards to the needs of the project activities andguidelines of contracting authority. Data were analyzed using content analysis.Thestudyfoundseveralmajorgroupsofstakeholdertotheimplementationofthesustainable tourism development: governmental organizations (tourismorganizations, local councils, and government departments), associations(chambersofcommerce,civilsocietyorganizations)andsouvenirsuppliersanddhandcrafts in local community organizations. The results validate the use ofstakeholder theory as amean to understand stakeholders’ point of view, goalsandissuesintheimplementationofsustainabletourismdevelopment.

Detailed Stakeholder l ist of the Region is presented in Annex I Tourism Resources Inventory – Municipalities and Stakeholders ,

as part of this Research Study.

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City/Municipality Stakeholder Areaofinfluence

1 CITYADMINISTRATION Legislation,permits,strategicandurbanplanning,promotion

2TOURISMORGANISATION

NOVISADPromotion,tourismproductdevelopment,strategy

3PANACOMPTRAVEL

AGENCYtourismproductdevelopment,

receptivetourism

4TOURIS ATIONMORGANIS

VOJVODINAPromotion,tourismproduct

development,strategy‐Province

5 EDUCATIONALCENTRE Capacitybuilding,education,networking,promotion

NOVISAD

6 CLUSTERISTAR21 Networking,cooperation,strategy,policymaking

7 CITYADMINISTRATION Legislation,permits,strategicandurbanplanning,promotion

8 TOURISMORGANISATION Promotion,tourismproductdevelopment,strategy

BACKAPALANKA

9 FIJAKERTRAVELAGENCY tourismproductdevelopment,receptivetourism

10 CITYADMINISTRATION Legislation,permits,strategicandurbanplanning,promotion

BEOČIN

11 BEOCINMONASTERY Tourismproductdevelopment,strategy,localcommunity

12 CITYADMINISTRATION Legislation,permits,strategicandurbanplanning,promotion

13 TOURISMORGANISATION Promotion,tourismproductdevelopment,strategySREMSKIKARLOVCI

14 NATUREMOVEMENTNetworking,cooperation,ecology,education,policy

making

15 CITYADMINISTRATION Legislation,permits,strategicandurbanplanning,promotion

16 TO NURISMORGANISATIO Promotion,tourismproductdevelopment,strategyINDJIJA

17AGENCYFORRURALDEVELOPMENT

Expertise,cooperation,support,policymaking,education

Table5.TourismStakeholderAnalysisinFGDR

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›Visitors and Tourism Demand

TheRepublicofSerbiainthe2006wasvisitedby2.079.643touristswhohavemade a total of 6.484.702 overnight stays. The vastmajority of tourist activityrecorded is by local guests with 72.3% of overnight stays, while the share offoreign tourists amounted toonly23.7%. Staysofdomestic touristswas longerandlastedanaverageof3.7days,whiletheaverageforeignerinSerbiaspent2.2days.Vojvodinainthesameyearvisitedby296.360tourists,whohavemadetotalof 758.981 overnight stays. Share of 14.25% of all tourists who visited SerbiadecidedtovisitVojvodina,andtheyrecorded11.70%ofallovernightstaysinthecountry. The average stay in Vojvodina of foreign visitors, as in the case ofnationalaverage,wasshorterandaveraged2.7daysfordomesticand2.4daysforforeigners. SouthBackaDistrict,which administrativelybelongs to FruskaGoraDanubeRegionin2012recorded127.077visitsbytourists,whospentthetotalof262992overnightstayswhileFGDRaccountedfor119.422visitorsand240.946ofovernightstays.

Fruska Gora Danube Region 2012

TOURISTS NUMBEROVERNIGHTSTAYS AVERAGE

TERRITORY

Tot. Dom. For. Tot. Dom. For. Dom. For.

Serbia 2.079.643 1.269.676 809.967 6.484.702 4.688.485 1.796.217 3,7 2,2

Vojvodina 296.360 173.465 122.895 758.981 462.672 296.309 2,7 2,4

SouthBackaDistrict

127.077 57.960 69.117 262.992 102.947 160.045 1,8 2,3

FGDR 119.422 51.363 68.059 240.946 84.485 156.461 1,7 2

%ofSerbia 5,74% 4,05% 8,40% 3,72% 1,80% 8,71% / /

FGDR*

*Petrovaradin

10.653 5.002 5.651 20.104 8.274 11.830 1,7 1.9

%ofSerbia 0,51% 0,39% 0,70% 0,31% 0,18% 0,66% / /

Table6.TourismdemandincertainregionsofSerbiaandFGDRin2012

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Analysing the share of tourism in the FGDR and total turnover on nationallevel, we conclude that the FGDR accounted for share of 5.74 % of the totalnumberoftourists,andtheymadeshareof3.72%oftotalovernightstays.

Tables 6‐12 presented below show the analysis of FGDR, FGDR* withPetrovaradinandmunicipalitiesseparately.

Novi Sad 2012

TOURISTS NUMBEROVERNIGHTSTAYS

AVERAGETERRITORY

Tot. Dom. For. Tot. Dom. For. Dom. For.

NoviSad 108.769 46.361 62.408 220.842 76.211 144.631 1,6 2,3

%ofFGDR 91,08% 90,26% 91,70% 91,66% 90,21% 92,44% / /

Petrovaradin 5.244 1.962 3.282 10.447 3.634 6.813 1,9 2,1

%ofFGDR* 49,22% 39,22% 58,08% 51,96% 43,92% 57,59% / /

Table7.TourismdemandinNoviSadin2012

Bačka Palanka 2012

TOURISTS NUMBEROVERNIGHTSTAYS

AVERAGE

TERRITORY

Tot. Dom. For. Tot. Dom. For. Dom. For.

B.Palanka 2061 835 1226 4710 1621 3089 1,9 2,5

%ofFGDR* 19,35% 16,69% 21,70% 23,43% 19,59% 26,11% / /

Table8.TourismdemandinB.Palankain2012

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Beočin 2012

TOURISTS NUMBEROVERNIGHTSTAYS

AVERAGE

TERRITORY

Tot. Dom. For. Tot. Dom. For. Dom. For.

Beočin 304 275 29 653 599 54 2,2 1,9

%ofFGDR* 2,85% 5,50% 0,51% 3,25% 7,24% 0,46% / /

Table9.TourismdemandinBeočinin2012

Sremski Karlovci 2012

TOURISTS NUMBEROVERNIGHTSTAYS

AVERAGE

TERRITORY

Tot. Dom. For. Tot. Dom. For. Dom. For.

Sr.Karlovci 218 182 36 326 273 53 1,5 1,5

%ofFGDR* 2,05% 3,64% 0,64% 1,62% 3,30% 0,45% / /

Table10.TourismdemandinSr.Karlovciin2012

Indjija 2012

TOURISTS NUMBEROVERNIGHTSTAYS

AVERAGE

TERRITORY

Tot. Dom. For. Tot. Dom. For. Dom. For.

Indjija 2826 1748 1078 3968 2147 1821 1,2 1,7

%ofFGDR* 26,53% 34,95% 19,08% 19,74% 25,95% 15,39% / /

Table11.TourismdemandinIndjijain2012

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FGDR* and municipalities ratio

TOURISTS NUMBEROVERNIGHTSTAYS

TERRITORY

Tot. Dom. For. Tot. Dom. For.

Petrovaradin 49,22% 39,22% 58,08% 51,96% 43,92% 57,59%

B.Palanka 19,35% 16,69% 21,70% 23,43% 19,59% 26,11%

Indjija 26,53% 34,95% 19,08% 19,74% 25,95% 15,39%

Beočin 2,85% 5,50% 0,51% 3,25% 7,24% 0,46%

Sr.Karlovci 2,05% 3,64% 0,64% 1,62% 3,30% 0,45%

TOTAL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Table12.TourismrationofmunicipalitiesinFGDR*in2012

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3.STRATEGICPLANRECOMMENDATIONS

›Tourism development strategy

Basisofstrategicproposalisbasedoncurrentsituationanalysisofpotentialsof tourismdevelopment.Majorpotentialswithintheregionmaybeclassifiedasfollowing:

1.RuralandagriculturalcharacteristicsoftheRegion

atureprotectedareas,geoheritage2.Natureresources,forests,andn

3.Culturalandhistoricalheritage

4.Events,manifestationsandgastronomy

With regards to the tourism product development two key approacheswithighpotentialofnewcomplementarytourismproductshavebeenidentified:h

I RURALANDAGRITOURISM

Justification Targetgroup

› FGDRpredominatedruralagriculturalarea

› Ec reaoandorganicfoodinthea

› Gastronomiceventsandmanifestations

› Ruralaccommodation

› Visitorspreferences

› Competitiveadvantage

› DiversificationofTourismproduct

› Mainly fo tourists reign

› Youth

› Elderly

› Families

› O g psr anisedgrou

› Corporate

II ECOTOURISMANDADVENTURETOURISM

Justification Targetgroup

› FGDRnatureresourcesandprotectedareas

› Culturalandhistoricheritage

› Active o munityl calcom

› Terrain

› Visitorspreferences

› Competitiveadvantage

› DiversificationofTourismproduct

› Domestic n igntouristsa dfore

› Youth

› Elderly

› Families

› Naturelovers

› O g psr anisedgrou

› Corporate

Table13.StrategicPlanRecommendations

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›Key determinants of future activities

Education

› Increasing the level of education and human resources capacities in thedevelopmentandoperationoftouristactivitiesatthelocallevel(specialisededucationofthelocalpopulation)

› RaisingabsorptioncapacitiesofEUandotherfunding

› Developmentofinternationallycompetitiveandcertifiedtourismservices

Cluster and networking

› Initiative of cluster development and establishing partnerships between

individualtourismserviceproviders

› Developmentofproceduresofinformationflowbetweenkeystakeholdersandtourismserviceproviders

t› Establishmentof ourismorganisationorassociationoftheRegion

› Considering the possibility of developing Fruska Gora Danube RegionwithouturbanareaofNoviSad

Promotion

› The establishment of the internet based tourist portal networkwith thelaunchoftheofferorthedestinationandthepossibilityofoperatingovera

network

› Preparationofthevisualidentitydesignofthedestinationwithemphasisof Fruska Gora National Park and eco‐agri‐rural lifestyle in the Region

‐25

‐26

LISTOFREFERENCESANDUSEFULLINKS

›Master plan razvoja turizma Sremskih Karlovaca sa Fruškom Gorom

›Master plan održivog razvoja Fruške gore 2012 ‐ 2020

›Opštine i regioni u Republici Srbij i 2013

›Strateški plan razvoja opštine B. Palanka 2011 ‐ 2016

›Profi l zajednice Beoč in

›Profi l zajednice Indjija

›Profi l zajednice Novi Sad

›Marketing strategija turizma Vojvodine

›Possibil it ies of improvement of rural tourism in Fruska Gora, Sandra Medić , University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences

› The role of agritourism in innovative rural development of lower Danube region in Serbia

› The role of agritourism in innovative rural development of lower Danube region in Serbia

› Razvoj avanturističkog turizma kao posebnog oblika ruralnog turizma na područ ju NP Fruška gora

› The Ekoturizam u funkcij i diverzif ikacije ruralne ekonomije na područ ju Nacionalnog parka Đerdap region in Serbia

›Tools and processes: Situational , Operational and Human Resources Analysis for SMEs in Tourism Industry

›www.novisad.rs

›www.vojvodinaonline.com

›www.panacomp.net

›www.backapalanka.rs

›www.toobap.rs

›www.vumorovic .rs

›www.sremski ‐karlovci .org.rs

›www.karlovci .co.rs

›www.beocin.rs

›www.indjija.net

›www.indjija ‐tourism.com

›www.fruskogorska ‐riznica.co.rs

›www.vodevojvodine.com

›www.vojvodinasume.rs