EU POLICY OF ENLARGEMENT BALKANS AND THE REGIONAL TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

Tourism is one of the areas that have influenced and have been influenced by the establishment of the EU. Its contribution to further European integration and the enhancement of the European identity has also been highlighted.1 European Union has recognized tourism’s role in creating new jobs and regional development until 1990’s, however, EU does not have an obligatory tourism policy in a legal manner. On the other hand, regulation, decision, directive and recommendations on tourism largely take part in EU acquisition and they will form new obligations on EU candidate countries on tourism sector. The cohesion policy of the European Union aims to reduce regional disparities and improve social and economic conditions in underdeveloped regions. Structural funds are the most important instruments by which the support is accomplished. Tourism is recognized to be an industry which is able to improve social and economic conditions and is therefore recognized as a tool to achieve the goal of cohesion. The EU has recently been enlarged with ten mainly eastern European countries, all containing regions with tourism potential. In order to profit most of the EU accession Western Balkan countries need to reflect to previous EU members examples. The tourism industry is the industry which makes it able to overcome regional disparities. It is for this reason from key importance that authorities of Western Balkan countries implement EU cohesion funds in order to develop and improve tourism products in this region which are economic and socially behind on developed EU regions