The first regional stakeholder meeting held within the IndusTour project
The Fund for European Affairs and Development of AP vojvodina organized the first regional stakeholder meeting within the project „Visits to industrial companies and areas as a service to the development and diversification of tourism policies – IndusTour”.
Representatives of Tourist Organization of Vojvodina, Tourist Organization of Novi Sad, Provincial Secretariat for Economy and Tourism were present, along with representatives of the host organization. They discussed possibilities of development of industrial tourism in Serbia and its integration in strategic documents and public policies.
During the meeting, the project itself was presented, as well as experiences from the study visit and sites seen in France, with a special focus on examples of good practice in the field of industrial tourism.
One of the key topics was a position of industrial tourism in Serbia and level of its visibility. The possibilities of including this topic in relevant strategic documents were considered, primarily in the Tourism Development Strategy of Serbia for the period 2026–2030, as well as in the Tourism Development Program of Vojvodina for the period 2026–2028.
The importance of the participation of representatives of competent institutions in the working groups that will work on the development of these documents was emphasized, so that industrial tourism is adequately recognized as part of the tourist offer.
The participants also discussed strengthening institutional capacities for better integration of industrial tourism into public policies, as well as the activities that will be implemented within the project. Planned activities will include the preparation of a situational analysis and mapping of potential sites on the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina with the capacity for the development of industrial tourism, exchange of experiences at the interregional and regional levels, as well as regular study visits to partner countries every six months.
Special attention will be paid to identifying industrial complexes, facilities, small and medium-sized enterprises and registered farms that have a wider tourism potential. The aim is to include, in addition to industrial systems, small and medium-sized enterprises, such as producers of traditional products, in the development of this area, provided that there is a clear and sustainable tourism concept.
The need to draw the attention of local government units and other relevant stakeholders to the importance of preserving industrial sites as part of the industrial heritage and potential for future tourism development was also emphasized.
As a conclusion, all institutions expressed their willingness for further cooperation and active participation in the implementation of project activities, with the aim of the systemic development of industrial tourism and its positioning within strategic development policies.
