Niš: Where Gastronomy Becomes an Experience

Recognising the role of gastronomic tourism in fostering sustainable economic development, the Association of Hospitality and Tourism Professionals of Niš, with the support of the European Union, opened a Tasting and Educational Centre as part of the project "Bites of the South".

The EU grant, worth more than 48,000 Euros, were invested in equipping the centre with professional kitchen and hospitality equipment, as well as equipment intended for exhibitions and food fairs, thus creating the conditions for the development of a sustainable gastronomic product.

The Association of Hospitality and Tourism Professionals of Niš continuously works on popularising the profession, improving and promoting tourism and the authentic values of the destination, as well as on creating conditions for activating hospitality and tourism resources in the territory of the City of Niš and the wider region.

Through the promotion and tasting of high-quality products from the south, the centre connects local producers and supports the placement of their products on domestic and foreign markets. An important part of its activities is also the organisation of culinary workshops for students of the Hospitality School and their teachers, thereby contributing to the sustainability and resilience of the hospitality sector, which directly affects the attractiveness of the destination and the overall visitor experience.

Through the EU PRO Plus programme, the European Union supported business support organisations across Serbia, awarding a total of EUR 672,654 for projects focused on digitalization, marketing, resilience, the green economy, internationalization, standardization, and financial instruments. By increasing the competitiveness and resilience of SMEs, the programme supports their recovery from the pandemic and success in new markets, demonstrating a strong commitment to local business development and economic growth in Serbia.

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