MINIĆ: EXPANSION OF RURAL TOURISM IN ŠIPOVO IS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER LOCAL COMMUNITIES

ŠIPOVO, JULY 15 /SRNA/ - Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić said that Šipovo is an internationally recognized tourist destination where a great expansion of rural tourism is visible, and that the Government will continue to support the development of this local community.

Minić pointed out that Šipovo is open to international tourists, and that accordingly, the Government supported more than 90 beneficiaries last year within the framework of supporting rural tourism.

"The biggest leap in rural tourism, which is commendable, is the fact that 196 new accommodation capacities have been registered this year. That is over a thousand beds. Today we will also visit a returnee from Austria who invested significant funds in tourist facilities," Minić told reporters in Šipovo after a meeting with the municipality's mayor, Milan Kovač.

He added that the local expansion of rural tourism can be a significant example for all other local communities.

"The Government of Srpska will support this to the maximum. Tenders have been announced; we wanted to fix up the roads so that tourists have the best possible routes to get here. We will continue to support this activity," Minić stated.

Minić emphasized that the reconstruction project of the water supply network from Kupres to Šipovo is also significant.

"The first section costs around two million and 300 thousand KM. Infrastructure projects in the very center of the municipality are also significant. We plan to support these projects to the maximum," Minić said.

He pointed out that Šipovo has an excellent future, adding that in this municipality, apart from existing economic activities, the emphasis is on the development of rural tourism.

"Today we have almost 1,000 tourists here, and on weekends that number goes from 2,000 to 4,000. This means that this place is on the map of world and European destinations, and represents a kind of ambassador for Republika Srpska," said Minić, highlighting the natural beauties of the local community.

Before the meeting with Mayor Milan Kovač, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska spoke with citizens at Patriarch Pavle Square.

Minić had previously laid a wreath at the Central Memorial for the fallen soldiers of the Army of Republika Srpska in the Defense-Patriotic War from the Šipovo area, and visited the Memorial Room in the premises of the Šipovo Veterans' Organization.