Golija no longer to be an abandoned beauty - New ski paths and cable car totaling EUR 12 mil as of 2015

Although the highest mountain of the southwest Serbia is an area with the largest number of snowy days in our country where snow lasts for nearly five months and reaches and average height of 105 cm, Golija has been called an abandoned beauty for decades.

The construction of the new ski path on the mountain will initiate the implementation of the “Master plan for the Golija Tourism Development” as of 2007 which imply a total investment of EUR 243.870.910 so that this tourist beauty would become a leading ski center in line with the world standards.

Ski fans could enjoy new ski path during the winter season 2015/2016, Nenad Savic from Skijalista Srbije says for eKapija.

Master plan implies investment of EUR 50.320.000 into a skicenter, the state provided EUR 12 mil for the first stage.

- It will be sufficient for a six-seat facility, six paths, an access road with a parking for 200 vehicles, artificial snow system and accumulation as well as to procure snow stamping machine – Savic claims and adds that paths will be developed like Gobelje on Kopaonik which means only one cable car will transport skiers to six paths.

Skiers would, when the construction of ski center completes, would have top ski paths nine kilometers long.

The Golija natural Park, expanding on 75.183 ha, occupies a territory of five municipalities Ivanjica, Kraljevo, Raska, Novi Pazar and Sjenica. The first ski path will be located at the Ivanjica part of the mountain,only 9 kilometers far from the highway which is a great advantage for one winter center.

(Destination hotel)

It is assumed that the next year will be spent on preparation of documentation, obtaining of construction licenses and approvals for woods cutting. Therefore, the beginning of the construction of ski paths and a cable car is expected in early 2015, Skijalista explains.

- The center will generate more results. The winter on Golija is long and we can expect that ski season is the longest in this center. This of course leaves the space for further development of the tourist center which will benefit to the whole region – collocutor of eKapija says.

Some EUR 141 mil for accommodationcapacities

According to Master plan, Golija has only 300 registered beds in the Studenica hotel – a lodgings of the Studenica monastery, Golija hotel and Gos motel at Odvracenica and the Golijska Reka hotel on the Ivanjica side. Total accommodation capacity, as well as total tourist infrastructure, is insufficient for modern ski center Golija is planning to become. It takes some EUR 141.900.910 to expand accommodation capacities.

Master plan implies the construction of the four-star destination hotel totaling EUR 22.724.000. It would comprise condotels – hotels with condominiums with 3-4 stars totaling EUR 40.796.910 EUR, as well as three-star bed and breakfast accommodation totaling EUR 6.525.000. In townhouses for private owners, a total of EUR 33.507.000 would be invested. In houses for accommodation and rest of private owners with highest standard, chalets, a total of EUR 27.588.000 would be invested.

From golf courts to bars and discos

In order to expand tourist offer, the Master plan implies investment in a modern golf court with 18 holes where EUR 4,1 mil will be invested as well as a golf club totaling EUR 900.000. This is where the destination center of the “village”would be which would contain commercial facilities such as restaurants, bars, discos, a cinema, boutiques, shops and various indoor and outdoor recreation facilities. The investment is estimated at EUR 1.860.000.There is also a spa center near the center where a total of EUR 8 mil would be invested.

Between EUR 34, 5 and 41,5 mil would be invested in capital infrastructure, communications trenches, electric supplying, water supplying and sewerage system, telephony.

Detailed regulation plan which would be mutual undertaking of five municipalities, should follow soon. It would be yet another step in implementation of the vision that Golija in “ten or twelve years becomes a model mountain destination which integrates protected natural and cultural wealth into a modern system of experiences and events, as planned within the Master plan”.

I.M.