Supporting Tourism Entrepreneurship Along Serbia’s Corridor X
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One of Serbia’s
10 “Perfect Places” |
Roughly 10,000 vehicles per day travel along the Serbian stretch of the so-called Corridor X, a portion of the Munich-Athens international road that stretches from Serbia's Hungarian border in the north to its border with Macedonia in the south. Capitalizing on the increased traffic expected throughout the country during the 2004 Olympic Games, USAID worked with implementing partners of the Community Revitalization through Democratic Action (CRDA) program—including Mercy Corps International, CHF, ACDI/VOCA and ADF—to develop local businesses through a competition for the 10 best tourist sites along Corridor X.
Local leaders identified Corridor X as one of Serbia's most important economic opportunities, and working with their local communities, they conceived the competition for 10 “perfect places” along the road in an effort to create a positive traveling experience that would encourage visitors to return to Serbia on future trips. The initiative catalyzed over 200 entrepreneurs, businesses, organizations and others determined to develop the potential economic impact of the corridor.
Applicants from throughout the country submitted proposals, and an independent jury of prominent national and international figures—including USAID Mission Director Keith Simmons, the Director of the National Tourism Organization of Serbia and representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Services, the Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Greece—chose the 10 winners.
Selection criteria included entrepreneurship, uniqueness to Serbian heritage and tradition, economic sustainability and customer focus. The winners received grants of $10,000 each, as well as technical assistance to help with further developing their corner of the market.
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