According to Serbian Economist, the Serbian government has adopted a new resolution on financial support for domestic hoteliers, which provides, in particular, subsidies of up to €5 million for cooperation projects with international hotel brands.
The measure is aimed at improving the quality of hotel offerings and increasing tourism revenues, including by extending the tourist season.
Grants may be awarded to companies and entrepreneurs registered to operate in the hotel business and listed in the e-Turista system, as well as investors planning to build new facilities.
It is noted that in order to receive support, the applicant must have a franchise agreement with an international hotel chain or at least a letter of intent confirming future cooperation. The accommodation facility must be categorized as at least four stars. In the document, an international chain is defined as a legal entity that manages at least 50 hotels and operates in at least 10 countries on at least two continents.
The subsidy is provided on a non-repayable basis, with a maximum amount of €5 million per investment project. The list of eligible expenses includes franchise and branding fees, digital integration, and staff training. There is also a requirement that the property purchased with the support must be new, and the investor is obliged to ensure the continuous operation of the hotel in the declared category for at least five years from the date of opening.
Applications will be submitted after the announcement of a public selection process, and the decision on the allocation of funds will be made by a special working group based, in particular, on the business reputation and economic sustainability of the project. Recipients must regularly report to the relevant ministry on the use of funds and provide documentation prepared by an auditing company with professional liability insurance; if the conditions are violated, the state will be able to demand the return of funds with interest.
