Improvement of the general tourism offer, attraction of new investments and Macedonia's promotion as an attractive tourism destination are the goals of the draft-law for tourism development zones, which the Government adopted at its last session.

Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski, Economy Minister Valon Saraqini and Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski said at Thursday's press conference that the law would initially encompass eight sites in Struga, Prespa, Dojran and Ohrid regions, which should be overhauled by the year-end. In this regard, the state has provided benefits for domestic and foreign investors, with the goal of more intensive infrastructure development, construction of new facilities, hotels, spa centers etc.

"Our objective is for the number of tourists visiting Macedonia to exceed one million in several years", said Vice Premier Pesevski.

According to Minister Saraqini, the law benefits include personal tax exemption in the next ten years, VAT exemption for construction materials, state assistance for each investment over EUR 10 million, as well as assistance for training of employees up to 50 percent of costs for general and 25 percent for vocational training.

The first international public call for the development zones is to be announced this summer, whereas the number of facilities built in each zone is up to the investor.

"The one who purchases the land is obliged to obtain a building permit within one year and construct the facilities within six years. Moreover, the minimum number of facilities is to be defined", said Minister Janakieski.

A total of 327,000 tourists visited Macedonia in 2011, which represents a 25.1-percent increase compared to 2010. The number of overnight stays has also increased by 35.1 percent.