Belgrade’s Tourism Development Strategy – ZOO and cable railway to revive Avala mountain

Instead of looking like a deserted picnic grounds, Avala mountain could be turned into an attractive tourist area. The new Tourism Development Strategy for Belgrade includes the detailed plan for Avala’s revival.

According to Belgrade’s draft Tourism Development Strategy, which was designed by the team from the Institute of Economics, a big transit-tourist center could be developed on the territory of Avala and nearby villages of Beli Potok, Zuce and Brđani, but some already started projects must be finished the first.

- It is first necessary for the section of the bypass from Orlovača to Belgrade – Niš highway to be finished, as well as the service road, in parallel with the highway, which will be passing beneath the bypass. Also, it is necessary to develop sewerage, rehabilitate swamp areas and regulate the river. That would create primary conditions for the commencement of works – Slobodan Mitrović, a city and spatial planner and a member of the team of the Institute of Economics, explains.

Motel complex alongside the road
Avala already represents an ecological zone and a commemorative complex, but if aforementioned conditions were met, it could become one of the most attractive tourist centers in Belgrade.

- According to one of the ideas, a motel ethno-complex “Srbija” could be built alongside the road that would be parallel to the highway. There would also be an auto-camp and drive-in cinema for the passengers. In addition, there would also be sports courts, thermo-aquatic complex with thermal waters, as well as a mega market. Also, a ski lift or a cable railway could connect that complex with Avala’s peak where a ski polygon or a hall and an entertainment center for kids could be built - says Mitrović.

In addition to facilities on Avala and alongside the road, appropriate catering contents would be developed in the villages of Zuce, Brđani and Beli Potok.

- Water surfaces would be adapted for fishing and bathing, and there would also be a space for a geriatrics center and hunting complex with ZOO. Also, biking tracks would be built all over the complex – says Slobodan Mitrović.

Benefits for whole Serbia
Belgrade represents the most significant tourist center in our country and almost all roads are passing through this city, so that this project can bring various benefits.

Specific features of all cities alongside the highway could be presented in transit-tourist complex “Avala”, which would be of great significance to whole Serbia. Also, that could be an opportunity for inflow of foreign capital, since Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, which participate in the financing of development of highway E-75, could also be presented in that center – says Mitrović.

Final decision to be made by the Assembly
In order for the idea of the the tourist revival of Avala mountain to be realized, it is necessary for the Strategy to be supported by the City Assembly, which should be followed by the design of the land-utilization plan for that part of Belgrade.

- The new land-utilization plan would declare the land the building land and a tender can be announced. That will attract large number of interested investors who would be willing to invest money in this project - Slobodan Mitrović explains.

Note: the complete text is taken from newspaper BLIC of December 1st, 2008