Two police officers wearing face masks potrol on bicycles in the main square of Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, on June 8, 2020. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)

North Macedonia's Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi unveiled here on Monday a set of measures to support tourism as part of the third set of measures introduced by the government amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at a press conference, Bekteshi declared that the support of local tourism, which is one of the most affected sectors by the coronavirus crisis, is the main priority for the Ministry of Economy.

"Given that hotel industry is most affected by the crisis, we will encourage activities related to trainings, conferences, and seminars in domestic hotels. Events and conferences will be co-financed by 50 percent of the costs or up to 30,000 Macedonian Denar (about 549 U.S. dollars) per applicant," Bekteshi said.

According to Bekteshi, for this measure the ministry envisages a total of 15 million Macedonian Denar (about 274,370 U.S. dollars), which will cover over 500 events.

The minister pointed out that a public call will be issued for the implementation of this measure, adding that it aims to support hoteliers during the coronavirus crisis.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Economy announced that it will distribute domestic tourism vouchers to be used by citizens in local tourism businesses from July 15 to Dec. 15 this year.

 

A man wearing a face mask rides an electric scooter in the main square of Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, on June 8, 2020. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)

 

An elderly couple wearing face masks sit on a bench in the main square of Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, on June 8, 2020. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)

 

People cross Stone Bridge in the center of Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, on June 8, 2020. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)

 

People wearing face masks walk on a street in the center of Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, on June 8, 2020. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)