The Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) in South-Eastern Europe, within the EU funded project “Fostering regional cooperation and balanced territorial development of Western Balkan countries in the process towards EU integration”, supported the organization of the regional manifestation “Hajducke veceri 2016”, which was organized by the Tourist Organization of the Municipality of Bogatic, in the period 13^th – 14^th August, 2016.

This regional manifestation is a traditional touristic-sport event, organized since 1966 as the biggest manifestation in the Macva region, gathering regional gastronomy, customs and traditional competitions among rural population. It promotes regional handcrafts and cultural and artistic heritage of people from both sides of the river Drina. It was estimated that 13.000 people visited the manifestation during the two-day period and 550 people participated. The accommodation facilities in Bogatic were all booked, which contributed to the increase of the number of tourists and revenues from tourist tax, but also indirect effects are achieved through income for local population.

During the festival, a media conference for 30 media representatives (such as “Politika”, “Danas”, “Vesti”, “Blic”, “Radio Beograd”, “Novi magazin”) was organized, where the potentials of Bogatic was presented. Additionally, SWG and its mission and activities implemented in the cross-border region “Drina-Sava” were presented.

Both, the programming documents of ABDA in the Western Balkan countries, as well as the Programme for economic development of the cross-border region “Drina-Sava”, identifies the sector tourism and agriculture as one of the strategic priorities for development of the cross-border region “Drina-Sava”.

http://bogatic-tourism.com/