Skopje, 23 September 2024 (MIA) — Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov on a two-day visit to Zagreb, Croatia, met with Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina for friendly and constructive talks on promoting bilateral cooperation in developing cultural tourism, according to an official press release.

Minister Ljutkov spoke with Minister Glavina about the recent reorganization of the Ministry of Culture into a Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in the release.

Meeting participants discussed potential ways of developing cultural tourism, including monastery tourism and sports tourism, the release says.

Minister Ljutkov talked about the country's resources and resolve to develop the tourism sector.

"He said the experiences of Croatia, being one of the world's leading tourist destinations, were highly valuable, greatly beneficial and significant for developing and stimulating the Macedonian tourist potential," the release says.

Ljutkov also spoke about broadening the competencies of the Macedonian Cultural and Information Center in Zagreb to also address tourism and education.

At the meeting, Minister Glavina presented the way the Croatian system works and the six laws regulating tourism management in Croatia.

Croatia's tourism minister pointed out that the unique Macedonian tourist offer and competitive prices should be taken full advangage of in developing the country's sustainable tourism. He said Croatia itself was implementing a tourism management reform focused on developing sustainable tourism with the aim of positioning Croatia as a year-round destination.

Glavina said the exchange of experiences and knowledge was important for his country, as well, adding: "That's why we are happy to have raised a series of topics that may contribute to the strengthening of tourism in our countries."

Ljutkov and Glavina agreed that the bilateral tourism committee should be reactivated and work on exchanging best practices related to the sector.

As part of his visit to Zagreb, Minister of Culture and Tourism Ljutkov also met with Croatian Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen Koržinek.

Ljutkov and Obuljen Koržinek discussed potential ways of promoting Macedonian-Croatian cultural ties going forward.

On Tuesday, the minister will visit the Macedonian Cultural and Information Center as well as Panko Brashnarov's tomb, before attending a concert of the Macedonian ensemble of folk songs and dances Tanec at Zagreb's Lisinski Hall. mr/