Ohrid Lake
Lake Ohrid / EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Macedonia a key player in the tourism landscape of the Balkans

"North Macedonia is making significant progress in its tourism industry, becoming a more attractive destination for international travelers, especially from neighboring countries such as Turkey, Serbia and Greece. The nation's strategic location in the Balkans, combined with its rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes and affordable travel options, has strengthened its appeal among global tourists," writes the prestigious tourism platform Travel And Tour World (TTW).

The article, titled “How is North Macedonia boosting its tourism industry with international tourist arrivals from Turkey, Serbia and Greece?” draws on recent data revealing a significant increase in tourist arrivals, with “international visitors contributing to a vibrant tourism industry that is a key driver of North Macedonia’s economy.”

It is emphasized that destinations such as Lake Ohrid, the historic Old Skopje Bazaar, and the picturesque Mavrovo National Park attract attention due to their unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

"As North Macedonia continues to invest in improving connectivity and promoting its attractions globally, it is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for those seeking authentic travel experiences in Southeast Europe, further solidifying its role in the regional tourism landscape. Tourism in North Macedonia showed significant growth from January to October 2024, with an 8,8% increase in the number of tourists compared to the same period in 2023. Overnight stays also increased by 5,5%, reflecting a strong recovery and increased attractiveness as a travel destination," reported the travelandtourworld.com portal.

The portal highlights that in October 2024, North Macedonia welcomed 107.672 tourists, with foreign visitors making up the majority at 74,2%, while domestic tourists made up 25,8%. A total of 211.611 overnight stays were registered in October, with 67,5% attributed to foreign tourists and 32,5% to domestic visitors.

"This statistic highlights North Macedonia's growing attractiveness to international tourists, particularly due to its rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes, and affordable travel options," the renowned travel portal emphasizes.

The expectations are that the upward trend in tourism will continue in 2025 with new flights that will improve accessibility to North Macedonia.

“Low-cost carrier EasyJet will re-enter the Macedonian market in spring 2025, starting with flights between Paris Orly Airport and Skopje. The move marks EasyJet’s return to Skopje after suspending operations from Geneva in November. The new Paris-Skopje route will not only improve connectivity with France, but will also provide a boost to the country’s tourism and business travel sectors. Meanwhile, Wizz Air will also introduce new flights between Lyon and Skopje in 2025. This additional connection complements EasyJet’s service and further strengthens ties between North Macedonia and France,” the article highlights.

The new air routes are expected to increase the influx of tourists from France, a key market for Macedonia, while also offering greater comfort and opportunities for passengers.

Among the highlights of Macedonia's rich tourist offer for foreign tourists with a limited travel budget are the cultural heritage in Ohrid, the Old Bazaar of Skopje and the ancient monasteries that attract history and culture enthusiasts. Among the natural beauties, the National Parks such as Mavrovo and Pelister stand out, attracting nature lovers looking for outdoor adventures.

The portal emphasizes that the tourism sector plays a vital role in the Macedonian economy, and the 8,8% growth highlights its potential for further expansion.

"With its continued focus on improving connectivity and promoting its unique attractions, North Macedonia is poised to maintain its growth trajectory, making it an increasingly attractive destination for global travelers. North Macedonia's increasing tourist numbers and improved flights position it as a key player in the Balkan region's tourism landscape, setting the stage for a promising 2025," the portal concludes.

Dear reader,

Our access to web content is free, because we believe in equality in information, regardless of whether someone can pay or not. Therefore, in order to continue our work, we ask for the support of our community of readers by financially supporting the Free Press. Become a member of Sloboden Pechat to help the facilities that will enable us to deliver long-term and quality information and TOGETHER let's ensure a free and independent voice that will ALWAYS BE ON THE PEOPLE'S SIDE.

SUPPORT A FREE PRESS.
WITH AN INITIAL AMOUNT OF 100 DENARS

Video of the day