AGP Executive Report

Ski Getaways: Kopaonik remains cheaper than leading Western European resorts, with a six-day adult lift pass costing about €210–230, though savings on a Balkan ski week now come from more than lift tickets alone. Danube Cruises: Low river levels continue to disrupt itineraries, with some operators cancelling stops or switching passengers to coaches and hotels—worth checking before booking a cruise through the region. EXPO 2027: Serbia’s tourism potential was promoted in Ljubljana, where organisers said nearly 2,000 Slovenian companies are expected at the Belgrade event. Rail Links: Austria’s ÖBB plans to restore direct Vienna–Belgrade trains, with two daily services in each direction and a journey of about six and a half hours; the start date is not confirmed, pending Hungarian approval.

Danube Cruises: Low water is still disrupting river itineraries, with levels near record lows around Budapest and at their lowest since 1996 in Romania. Some operators have cancelled or rerouted sailings, a concern for travellers planning Danube trips through the region. EXPO 2027: Serbia promoted its tourism offer in Ljubljana, where nearly 2,000 Slovenian companies are expected at the Belgrade event. A new agreement will help Slovenian businesses plan their participation. Rail Links: International Belgrade–Budapest trains are expected from December, with one-way fares announced at €25–26 and eight daily departures planned in each direction. Direct Vienna–Belgrade services are also planned, but still need Hungarian approval and have no confirmed start date.

EXPO 2027: Serbia’s tourism potential was presented to travel and business representatives in Ljubljana, where organizers said nearly 2,000 Slovenian companies are expected at the Belgrade event. Rail Connections: A direct Vienna–Belgrade train is planned for 2027, with two daily services in each direction, but still needs Hungarian approval. International Belgrade–Budapest trains could begin in December, pending final authorization. Travel Advice: Serbia is among three countries whose citizens qualify for a visa on arrival in Thailand under rules introduced in September. Air Travel: Air Serbia reported a record 1,737,977 passengers in the third quarter. Wine Tourism: Sixteen Georgian wine companies joined Belgrade’s Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair, which brings together producers and tourism businesses.

Rail Travel: Safety testing is complete on the Hungarian section of the Belgrade–Budapest high-speed line. Domestic service could start in October, with international trains expected from December; a one-way ticket is forecast to cost €25–26. EXPO 2027: Serbia showcased its tourism offer in Zagreb, highlighting new transport links to the Belgrade site and inviting Croatian businesses to take part. Travel Rules: Serbia is among just three countries whose citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand under rules that took effect in September. Serbian Tourism Abroad: EXIT brought its festival brand to Egypt for Starlight Festival, a two-day event at the Giza pyramids that drew visitors from 114 countries. Air Travel: Air Serbia reported a record 1,737,977 passengers in the third quarter.

EXPO 2027: Serbia presented the Belgrade event and its tourism potential to Croatian travel and business representatives in Zagreb, highlighting new transport links intended to make the site easier to reach. Belgrade Events: A global inCruises convention held in the city drew attendees from 79 countries, putting Belgrade in the spotlight as an international events destination. Air Travel: Air Serbia reported a record third quarter, carrying 1,737,977 passengers.

Air Travel: Air Serbia carried a record 1,737,977 passengers in the third quarter. The airline is also extending its Alicante–Belgrade route into winter, giving travelers another seasonal link. Belgrade on the Travel Map: A global inCruises convention held in Belgrade in September drew attendees from 79 countries and has now earned a Travel Weekly Magellan Award. New Routes: A seasonal Nouvelair charter from Belgrade brought visitors to Tunisia’s Djerba, offering a direct gateway to the island’s layered cultural heritage. Rail Connection: The Budapest–Belgrade railway could begin carrying passengers this autumn, potentially adding a cross-border option for travelers.

Air Links: Air Serbia’s Belgrade route is among the connections Alicante is extending into winter, as the Spanish airport forecasts a busy season. Air Serbia: The carrier reported a record third quarter, carrying 1,737,977 passengers. Tourism Promotion: Serbia invited Sri Lanka to join the Belgrade International Tourism Fair and Expo 2027, extending its outreach to potential visitors and partners.

Winter Air Links: Alicante’s autumn traffic is nearing summer levels, with airlines forecasting 5–10% winter growth. Air Serbia’s Belgrade service is among the routes being extended into the season. Greek Getaways: Greece remained Serbian visitors’ top foreign destination in 2026. About 800,000 Serbs visited in 2025, and more are venturing beyond Halkidiki to the Cyclades, Crete and the Ionian islands. New Travel Experiences: A travel feature follows a direct seasonal charter from Belgrade to Tunisia’s Djerba, showcasing the island’s layered religious and cultural heritage. EXPO 2027: Serbian and North Macedonian tourism businesses met in Skopje to explore partnerships ahead of the Belgrade expo, where North Macedonia plans to present its tourism, food and cultural offerings.

Greek Getaways: Greece remained Serbia’s top foreign destination in 2026, with 800,317 Serbian visitors in 2025—about 20% more than the year before—and nearly 2.8 million overnight stays. More are venturing beyond familiar Halkidiki and northern resorts to the islands. Air Travel: Air Serbia carried a record 1,737,977 passengers in the third quarter, a strong sign of summer demand. EXPO 2027: Serbian and North Macedonian tourism and business representatives met in Skopje to explore partnerships ahead of Belgrade’s Expo, where North Macedonia plans to showcase its culture and travel offer. Rail Links: Passenger services on the Belgrade–Budapest railway could begin this autumn, though testing is still underway without passengers.

EXPO 2027: Serbia and North Macedonia are exploring tourism and business partnerships ahead of Belgrade’s world expo. A Visit Serbia event in Skopje brought together more than 50 industry representatives, while North Macedonia plans a pavilion showcasing its culture, food and wine. Greek Getaways: Greece remains Serbian travellers’ top foreign destination, with 800,317 visitors from Serbia in 2025. More are venturing beyond familiar Halkidiki resorts to the Cyclades, Crete and the Ionian islands. Belgrade Breaks: A new travel feature spotlights nonstop flights to Belgrade from New York and Chicago, alongside the city’s riverside fortress, nightlife and affordable dining. Air Serbia: The carrier reported a record 1,737,977 passengers in the third quarter, a strong sign of continued demand for travel to and from Serbia. Wine Tourism: Belgrade’s Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair drew Bulgarian wineries among its international exhibitors, strengthening the capital’s role as a regional showcase for wine.

Air Serbia: The national carrier had its strongest-ever third quarter, carrying 1.74 million passengers from July to September. It also passed 3.8 million passengers in the first nine months, with September setting a monthly record. Belgrade City Breaks: The capital is drawing attention as an affordable European destination, with nonstop flights from New York and Chicago and highlights including its riverside fortress and lively dining scene. Wine Tourism: Belgrade hosted Wine Vision by Open Balkan from October 10 to 12, welcoming 12 Bulgarian wineries among exhibitors from across the region. Rail Travel: The Budapest–Belgrade line has reached its final testing stage, with trains running at up to 160 km/h ahead of an expected autumn passenger launch. Travel Advice: Serbian citizens with qualifying biometric passports can enter Denmark visa-free under existing rules.

Air Travel: Air Serbia carried a record 1.74 million passengers in the third quarter and more than 3.8 million in the first nine months of 2026. September also set a monthly record, with 536,503 passengers. Wine Tourism: Belgrade’s Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair runs through October 12, drawing producers and international buyers; Bulgarian wineries previewed their wines at the embassy ahead of the event. Belgrade Getaways: A new travel feature spotlights nonstop flights from New York and Chicago, the city’s riverside fortress and affordable dining as reasons to visit Serbia’s capital. Rail Links: The Budapest–Belgrade railway has reached its final passenger-free test, with passenger service expected this autumn—an eagerly awaited new option for regional trips.

Air Travel: Air Serbia carried a record 1.74 million passengers in the third quarter, up 6.5% year over year, and more than 536,000 in September alone. Belgrade Breaks: A travel feature highlights nonstop Air Serbia flights from New York and Chicago, plus Belgrade’s fortress, affordable dining and lack of EU Entry/Exit System biometric checks. Wine Tourism: Twelve Bulgarian winemakers presented their wines in Belgrade ahead of Wine Vision by Open Balkan, scheduled for October 10–12. Rail Links: The Budapest–Belgrade railway reached its final test at speeds of up to 160 km/h, ahead of a planned autumn passenger launch. Sports Tourism: Serbia and Albania will host the 2027 European Under-21 Championship from June 16 to July 3, offering a future draw for football fans.

Wine Tourism: Bulgarian wineries are presenting their products in Belgrade ahead of Wine Vision by Open Balkan, running October 10–12. The fair brings regional producers and international buyers together. Air Travel: Air Serbia carried a record 1.74 million passengers in the third quarter, with September its busiest month yet. Rail Links: The Budapest–Belgrade railway has completed final testing at speeds of up to 160 km/h, with passenger service expected this autumn. Travel Access: Serbian citizens with qualifying biometric passports can enter Denmark visa-free under existing rules; check passport requirements before travelling.

Air Travel: Air Serbia carried a record 1.74 million passengers in the third quarter, up 6.5% year on year. September was its strongest month yet, with 536,503 passengers, a sign of growing capacity for visitors flying to Serbia. Rail Connections: The Budapest–Belgrade line has completed passenger-free tests at speeds of up to 160 km/h, with passenger service expected this autumn. Route Changes: Ryanair plans to drop its Vienna–Niš service at the end of October as part of winter schedule cuts, with no return date confirmed.

Air Travel: Air Serbia carried a record 1.74 million passengers in the third quarter, with September traffic up 11.7% year over year and passenger numbers topping 3.8 million for the first nine months of 2026. Rail Connections: The Budapest–Belgrade line is edging closer to passenger service: domestic trains in Hungary could start in the second half of October, with international services expected in December. Route Changes: Ryanair is dropping its Vienna–Niš service from the start of the winter schedule, reducing direct flight options between Austria and Serbia. Major Events: Serbia and Albania will host the 2027 Under-21 European Championship; Ireland’s U21 team will face Finland in a playoff for a place at the tournament.