City of greenery, old vocations and organic production - 95,000 USD for development of rural tourism in Sombor

(Pergola)

City of Sombor and "The Urban Institute", the non-profitable organization from the USA that uses the funds of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement the Municipal Economic Growth Activity (MEGA) programme, signed the Memorandum of cooperation in September 2008. For the realization of project "Sombor-the city of greenery, old vocations and organic production", MEGA programme will finance construction works by granting 95,000 USD worth of non-refundable aid to the city of Sombor.

- The major share of the project will be realized in Bački Monoštor, which is the most representative settlement within the city of Sombor when it comes to development of rural tourism and ecology - Jelena Kanostrevac, grand specialist in "The Urban Institute", told "eKapija".

The settlement is situated in the heart of Special natural reservation Gornje Podunavlje, which was legally defined in 2001. One of the main characteristics of Bački Monoštor is authentic cultural heritage, which is reflected in number of customs, folklore, language, traditional garment, food and music that remained the same for over 200 years.

Reconstruction of ethno-houses

(Ethno-house)

- The Ministry of Economy and Regional Development has recognized Sombor, Bački Monoštor and Special natural reservation "Gornje Podunavlje" as one of the five most attractive locations for development of tourism in Serbia, and it has created "Master Plan for Tourist Destination Gornje Podunavlje" in association with the City of Somor - said Kanostrevac.

Within the scope of the project, the city suggested reconstruction of two ethno-houses in Bački Monostor, reconstruction of the space in the city center for sale of souvenirs and handmade products, as well as design and installation of 12 typical counters in Sombor's pedestrial zone for the needs of organization of healthy food trade fairs (over 100 manufacturers in 19 production branches).

(Counter)

A small educational center will be organized inside one of the ethno-houses, and that will be the place where the manufacturers will have the opportunity to learn about marketing, design, services, sales, etc. Wooden workshops for old vocations will be situated in the yards of the two ethno-houses, which will make it possible for existing craftsmen to present their products to tourists and, thus, achieve better sales.

- Realization of that project will enrich the tourist offers of both Bački Monoštor and city of Sombor. The project will also increase the number of employees - 10 people will get permanent jobs, while the incomes of over 200 people will grow bigger thanks to richer tourist offer and larger number of guests. Number of units of categorized private accommodation will also grow significantly - said our collocutor.