Day 70: The best way to stifle a country’s tourism - Belgrade, Serbia

(Him: Charlie)(Him: Charlie)

Serbia is large country, especially compared to its neighbouring Yugoslav brothers. Supposedly, it offers wild nature, charming villages and deep (maybe controversial) history – perfect for tourists. We were going to spend at least 4-5 days here, even though we are strapped for time. However, thanks to one of the worst tourist information centres we have ever come across, our stay was much shortened…

Upon arrival in Belgrade, as usual, we visited the local tourist office for travel advices. Though courteous, the staff wasted no time in shooting down the few places we had in mind, saying either there’s nothing happening, or it’s not worth visiting. The only place he recommended was the EXIT music festival in Novi Sad, which didn’t really interest us. We were disappointed – I thought Tourist Info is supposed to provide information and let me decide where I want to go. He may be telling his honest thoughts, but what I don’t need is filtered (and opinionated information). What a way to promote his country – totally and successfully turned us off!!

And that’s not all! In addition to the biased information, he also gave us false advice! When asked about Kosovo, a disputed area neighbouring Serbia (or within, depending on who you ask), he told us it’s extremely dangerous, and we shouldn’t go; and that, if we really wanted, we should go to the north part only, because the Albanians (Kosovo is mostly inhabited by Albanian ethnics) would kill us if we go to the south, including the capital. This is contrary to anything we have heard before and it was later proven wrong by other backpackers. I can understand the staff may be opinionated because of the Kosovo-Serbian conflict, but again, I was hoping for a little bit of professionalism.

It’s a shame that a country is represented by tourism staff like this – there is no better way than stifling the tourism like this. The impact, just an example, was we shorted our trip and only gave this country 36 hours of our time! Montenegro, here I come!

Day 70: Are there hidden gems in Serbia awaiting to show the world?

(Her :  Joanna)

After seeing and hearing what had happened in Bosnia & Herzegovina, I have to admit that I developed a certain perception of Serbian.  Even though my conscious told me that a lot of it has nothing to do with the people living but the government at that time was behind all the terrible events, it is difficult not to become bias.  Coming to Belgrade, after a long and tiring semi-overnight bus ride and greet with blazing heat in a room with no AC, did not help me like the city more.  We saw buildings that are on its way to fall down, which are probably caused by the NATO bombing in 1999.  However, I have different feelings as when I saw bullet holes filled buildings in Sarajevo. 

I can resist but to think "Is this man a rapist? Did he kill civilians in Bosnia? What did he do during the war?" every time I passed by men over 35 years old.  It gave me chills.  As a woman, the thought of being around rapists made me very uncomfortable and unsafe.  Though it was during "special" circumstances during the war that might affected the behavior uniquely.  With that feeling and thought, it was hard to see and experience Serbia with an open mind and open heart.  

When I heard nationalist comments from a young officer at the tourist office about Kosovo and his advice for us as foreigners not to visit Kosovo because Albanian are very racist and they are at war right now, I was being very turned off.   It was the first time we’ve heard that going to Kosovo is dangerous. 

We tried to “discover” Serbia to see whether there are some country side towns we can visit but the officer at the tourist office just shoot us down in the handful we shortlisted. 

It was a pity as a pair of couples from Australia who were originally from Serbia that we’ve met at Tito’s grave told us that there are tons of beautiful places in Serbia that are untouched by tourism.  Unfortunately, the focus for Serbia is to rebuild the country after the war and tourism wasn’t as developed as it could be.