Four-star hotel opened on Stara Planina mountain

Minister of Economy and Regional Development Nebojsa Ciric has opened a hotel on Stara Planina mountain, in which the state invested EUR 30 million from the budget.

He stressed that it was the first "greenfield investment" in the national tourism industry in 20 years.

- Construction of this hotel on Stara Planina is a proof that the new beginning is possible because people used to flee the municipality of Knjazevac and, today, new houses and restaurants are being built alongside the road to the hotel - said Ciric.

The minister of economy pointed out that it had taken 13 months to build the hotel, adding that there was also a new gondola lift transporting skiers to Babin Zub peak, enabling them to enjoy 13 kilometers of ski runs featuring an artificial snowing system.

Ciric underlined that Serbia had got another ski resort, the one on Stara Planina, in addition to those on mountains Kopaonik and Zlatibor. He also announced that the state would continue to invest in that region in 2012 in spite of saving measures and budget restrictions.

The hotel is situated at Jabucko Ravniste on Stara Planina. It comprises 146 rooms with 380 beds and spans 26,000 square meters. The hotel also includes a wellness and spa center.