ITB Berlin News 2021 - Day 1 Edition

I REGION I EUROPE I
© Andrius Aleksandravičius
2021, THE YEAR
FOR A SLOW
ADVENTURE IN
SERBIA
ADVERTORIAL
Slow down and discover
the unexpected in Lithuania
Where uncrowded villages and pristine nature abound,
Lithuania is a perfect choice for post-pandemic
holidays
In a time when circumstances have deprived most
travellers of real, natural experiences, Lithuania
has a formula that will appeal to the post-pandemic
tourist. In this Baltic country, cities and nature live
in peaceful co-existence; never far from each other.
Lithuanian metropolises and smaller resort towns are
surrounded by pristine nature. The nation's forests
are particularly healing, providing serene spaces to
rest and clear one’s head.
When it comes to tourism,
Lithuania is a country
of hidden potential, that
may well be the future goto
destination for visitors
looking for privacy, safety,
and "slow travel" options.
This is particularly apparent
in the nation's wide range of
active recreational activities,
with its hiking trails, cycling
routes, camping adventures
and relaxing nature therapies.
Relatively short distances
make it easy to incorporate
different types of touristic
experiences in a travel
package or personal itinerary.
Lithuanians have built a wide
range of educational trails
in the country highlighting
its spectacular landscape
features, from swamps to
cliffs, lagoons, and rivers.
Situated near many tourist
attractions, hiking trails are
a great way to boost mental
as well as physical health
– explaining the popularity
these activities have already
achieved among locals. As a
cycling destination, Lithuania
is appealing to many for its
intriguing routes, winding
across the entire country.
For a charming afternoon
ride or for a cross-country
expedition, versatility and
sights suit the needs of any
type of active traveller.
Remote, off-the-beaten-track
attractions in Lithuania allow
travellers to fully reconnect
with nature. They are not only
perfect for social distancing,
but extraordinary as well.
Pagan heritage, herbs and
berry picking, dragonfly
catching, visiting mysterious
craters and deer-watching are
just a part of it. Many activities
also have therapeutic
qualities, such as a melodious
soothing bed of bees or an
amber sauna, one of its kind
in the whole world.
Tourism professionals will
have the opportunity to
connect with Lithuania Travel
at the ITB NOW conference
and get informed about
Lithuania’s tourism potential.
Lithuania Travel is the
national development agency
responsible for tourism
marketing and promotion
under Lithuania’s Ministry of
Economy and Innovation. The
agency closely collaborates
with tourism businesses
and organisations, presents
Lithuanian tourism products,
services and experiences on
social and digital media, press
trips, and participation in
international travel exhibitions
and B2B events
Visit the official tourism
gateway to Lithuania here:
https://lithuania.travel/en/
VISIT
BR AND CARD
Stara Planina: Impressive landscapes in Eastern Serbia
"We feel that tourists will generally
look this year for nature-linked
destinations. As Serbia's offers
infinite possibilities linked to nature,
we adopted slow adventure as a
theme for 2021," explains Marija
Labovic, CEO of the National Tourism
Organisation of Serbia (NTOS).
Serbia indeed offers plenty of space.
With an average of 80 people per sq km,
the country is the perfect destination for
travellers looking for peace, distance, safety
and nature. "Slow adventure" will also help
Serbia in promoting remote and wild places
where tourists learn about the environment,
as well as local food, culture, history and
traditions.
"We will launch more promotional efforts to
bring tourists to our protected natural areas
and give them the opportunity to enjoy rural
accommodation, taste Serbian food and
practice activities like hiking and biking,"
stresses Ms Labovic.
ENCOUNTERING WILD ANIMALS
AND PRISTINE NATURE
Thick forests turn Serbia into a paradise
for observing animals. In Western Serbia,
visitors to Tara National Park can see bears,
while Uvac Nature Reserve is known for
Griffon Vulture observation. It is part of 42
Important Bird Areas in Serbia.
In Eastern and Southern Serbia, the NTOS
highlights Pirot town and Stara Planina
Mountain with its hidden waterfalls
and deep forests. In the South,
Devil's Town is not only rock
formation, but a source of
many folk tales
VISIT
© NTOS
BR AND CARD
ITB BERLIN NEWS • TUESDAY 9 TH MARCH 2021 21