About The Christopher Deliso Blog

This blog celebrates the singularities and unexpected revelations of the Balkans. That is on the good days. Other times there is just news from the 'industry' and my opinions on it.

The Latest Total Failure in Macedonian Tourism Promotion

December 02, 2008 • Comments Macedonia

As Macedonia prepares to host the European women’s handball championships, local media reports today there has been a total failure to prepare for the event in terms of promotion- despite the fact that the country has had four years to prepare.

In true Macedonian style, all of the sources surveyed, ranging from government officials to private chambers and associations of travel agents, all blame one another and claim that ‘no one informed them’ or that it wasn’t their ‘responsibility.’

Nevertheless, those intrepid Croatians have apparently sent a team to inform the many visitors from 12 nations (including 500 journalists) of the delights of their own country.

Meanwhile, Danish media reports that Skopje has terrible streets, constant hassling from petty vendors, and children begging on the square. All of which are true, though apparently no one arranged for taking the visitors on nicer routes so that they could say nicer things.

And so yet another total failure is unfolding in Macedonia, where the prevailing attitude of not wanting to be bothered, to have a good time, to enjoy easy money and above all remain disinterested in enterprise or critical thinking remains the prevailing attitude.

This situation is of course tremendously depressing, though on the other hand it does leave plenty of room for anyone (local or foreign) with even a modicum of foresight and energy to have a major impact.

Any takers?