Categorization of private apartments in Belgrade

Definition of apartment

Apartment is a part of flat or house in which the tourists can stay, sleep, eat or independently cook their food. There are various apartments according size and quality so some kind of categorization and classifications is necessary.

Procedure of categorization

Apartments can have from one to four stars, depending on the number of points obtained in the evaluation according to the standards prescribed by the competent authorities.

For categorization this elements are important:

• the external appearance

More points are dedicated to apartments build with high-quality materials. Renovated buildings have more value than old buildings.

• parking lots and garages

Parking in Belgrade, can be a very big problem. Apartments with 4 and 5 star must have parking place at the building in which the apartment is located. Other categories of accommodation do not have to have a secured parking for guests. However, in Belgrade you will find a large number of apartments that offer this possibility, whether it's a parking place in front of or possibility of parking in a nearby garage.

To have garage is very important for private apartment

• Access to apartments

Access to the apartment entrance and must have secured outdoor lighting. In addition, for two or more stars, entrance to the accommodation unit must be from a separate corridor or hallway.

• guests receiving

Person who speaks at least one foreign language should receive guests, and it is very important to be very nice, kind and friendly person. “Guests are always right” should be motto.

• Size and equipment

Size

The minimum area that flat must have in order to be categorized as an apartment is 26 m². From 19 m² to 25 m² is classified as studio.

Equipment

Equipment and feature of apartments are regulated by some standards and requirements: number of beds and pillows, number of outlets, techniques (air conditioning, TV, Internet), to details such as a sewing kit and a printed notification of the facilities and services which are available to guests.

In the kitchen every apartment should have: sinks with hot water, fridge, stove, extractor fan, kitchen cabinets, dishes and pans, cups, plates and other accessories, dining table and chairs according to the number of beds, dustbins, tablecloth, napkins ...

In the bathroom must be a tub or shower cabin with curtain. Apartments with two or more stars have to provide additional hair-dryer, shampoo and bath, extra towels and toiletries.

Apartments who want to get three or four star, would have to provide: change of linen upon request, first aid kit, iron, accommodation for pets

• Quality of furniture and equipment in the flat

There are three quality categories:

Quality of furniture in the apartment can significantly contribute to its value

–        standard with one to three stars - have standard equipment, for apartments

–        first class  4 stars - apartment is equipped with furniture of small series and aligned with the interior

–        exclusive 5 stars - have luxurious furniture which brings additional points in the evaluation of apartments

Apartments in Belgrade generally are luxuriously furnished, and there is an obvious effort by their owners to offer good service to the visitors in order to be satisfied and have positive impressions. Of course the price depends of classification, if apartment is on higher category and has more stars, the price will be higher

How to attract business tourists?

How to attract business tourists?

Today’s world of business is asking lot of traveling, business people have to travel long distances and to go to other countries and cities in order to meet their business partners and associates. The common characteristics of this group of traveler are:

• they are looking for accommodation mostly for a day, maybe for 3-5 days,
• they have higher budgets, and they are less concerned about costs
• travels alone or with colleagues in the company
• part of their work performed in spare time

For people involved in tourism it is important to recognize business tourists and attracts them. Airports, hotels, car rental agencies, restaurants adapt and extend its offer to business people.

Hotels have gone farthest. They have areas so-called "lounge bars" aimed for gathering and socializing of businessmen. Hotels with more stars have one or more meeting rooms, conference rooms equipped with the necessary equipment, Broadband fast internet and telephone or fax lines are on their disposal. Business tourists can choose whether they prefer to work in a hotel rooms or in the areas of special purpose.

Apartments for business people

Someone who saw their chance to attract this well paid guest are the owners of private apartments. These apartments are a solution for all requirements andneeds of businesspersons.

• their renting is very flexible - for one to several nights, even several hours
• apartments have access to the Internet and telephone. Some of them have computers, laptops, fax, scanner, printer and photocopier on disposal.
• in apartments can be created and  organized a space for working and conducting business. Apartments are quiet, intimate, offers a pleasant atmosphere unhindered by crowds and noise, also there can be organized meetings in friendly and even familial environment.
• Reservations and payment are very simple - company that sends the employee abroad can booked and paid by Internet or by some financial services as Western Union or Paypal
• in the apartments can be arranged meals for one or more people. If the business people do not want to cook, the owner can hire catering service or restaurant.
• parking places - Most of apartments provide parking space for their guests.

When the work is completed this visitors often want to go out and explore the city. For these tourists, apartment accommodation is a great solution. Unlike a hotel, here they have a large space, and everyone can undisturbed to attend to their work or entertainment.

THE ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN BELGRADE

Belgrade is a respectable tourist destination

Belgrade is visiting by many tourist and visitors. In 2014, 1,200,000 tourists both foreign and domestic visited the capital of Serbia and this year that number will be higher. Traditionally Serbia and Belgrade mostly are visited by Slovenians, Croatian, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Arab countries. There are plenty of reasons to visit Belgrade, from sightseeing and enjoying in excellent food and drink, great fun, and so on.

Tourist workers have to find adequate accommodation for these visitors. What can Belgrade offers?

The accommodation facilities in Belgrade

The accommodation capacity of the city of Belgrade consist of a number of

• hotels,
• hostels,
• private apartments
• camps

Private apartments

The huge popularity in recent times has private apartments. According to the data of Tourist Organization of Belgrade, the city has about 500 apartments for a short or long vacation, but this figure is difficult to verify, probably there are more. They can be rented for a longer and a shorter period. They are comfortable and tastefully furnished apartments who offered all possible comfort and peace. The good thing is that guest can avoid crowds in the hostels and hotels, and the time of renting is very flexible, from several hours to several days. Private apartments are cheaper, offers better comfort, safety and intimacy; guest should feel as they are at home. They can cook, wash their clothes, they can chose location, (private apartments are situated all over the city) and save money for transportation cost. Booking and payments can be made on-line.

Hotels

According to the latest data of the Tourist Organization, in Belgrade  exist around 61 hotels. Hotels a ranged by categories, from 1 up to 5 stars. Some will think that it is more than sufficient, but experts in the field believe that there is room for more. In particular, there is a lack of luxury hotels with more stars. In recent years are build a few luxury hotels like Crowne Plaza, Falkensteiner, Hotel Allure Caramel, Hotel Atera, Radison Blu hotel Holidey Inn, Zepter Apart Hotel. Those hotels poses a high level of standards and luxury for visitors.

Hostels

Those with little less deep pocket have access to hostels. There are around 90 hostels but opens new almost every week. Hostels are less comfortable and less luxurious, but they are cheaper. Hostels are visited by young backpacker who travels and explore new places, students, visitors of concerts and other cultural events. They can sleep for just 5 euro’s, rest a little and continue their trip. Also a lot of new friendship can be made on this places.

Hostel room - Belgrade

Camps

Belgrade does not have enough camps that the city of this size should have. The reason for this is weak domestic demand, foreigners who are most used to camps, can not fulfill capacities that are considered sufficient to make it operate with a profit.

What to expect in the future?

Interest in Belgrade as a tourist destination is expected to grows each year so that these capacities for accommodation that we mentioned will certainly not be sufficient, so that the growing need require new investments to new facilities for all categories. Because of its advantages, as well as the significantly lower required investments, we expect that private apartments will grow with the biggest rate and success.

TRANSPORT MEANS IN BELGRADE

TRANSPORT MEANS IN BELGRADE

Belgrade is a big city, and his citizens have huge distances to overcome every day. They travel to work, to go school or college, for shopping, to meet with the friends etc. From one end to the other distances can be more than 15 kilometers. Numerous tourists who wants to visits all sights and sites that are scattered around the city, also needs transport. They look for the most comfortable and fastest transport from their apartments where they are stayed, to remote places in the city.

What kinds of transportation means are available?

Own car

Most comfortable way for commuting is with own vehicle. Drivers are not depending on the timetable of public transport, have great autonomy of decision making and organizing their time. Weaknesses of this method are traffic jams (Belgrade’s streets are not big enough for receiving so many vehicles), lack of parking spaces and traffic culture of drivers. Therefore, you need a lot of nerves and patience. Most of the tourists do not come here by car so it needs to cope with other kinds of transport.

Public transport in Belgrade - lines

Public transport

This is the cheapest way to travel through the city (especially as the majority of citizens do not pay at all their tickets). Public transport used by about half a million passengers every day, and city have around 1200 vehicles, you can estimate whether this is enough. 

This situation can be seen for best during the summer months, when most of the people are on holiday and absent from the city, but transport cannot be better. However, when all will return during fall and winter begins collapse, crowds on buses and trams, delays, nervousness... tourists have option to see Belgrade at open double-decker bus that is used for organized sightseeing.

Taxi

The taxi has its advantages, but it has also major drawbacks. The most evident: they are too expensive, and most of the people cannot afford their services on a daily basis. Big blow to the reputation of taxi drivers are so-called "illegal" taxi drivers. The ride with them can cost you cheap but it could be several times more expensive, it all depends on how well you know the city and how much you are good at bargaining.

Rent a car

Car rental agencies have significantly reduced their prices and are now more or less. The advantages are that you can choose a good and a new car that meets your current needs, car can be booked online, etc. But you have to look for parking and to get through the Belgrade crowd, like everyone else,

Bikes

This is the healthiest and most natural way to travel through the city. Depending on the physical strength of rider can be cross more or less kilometers. On the other side, Belgrade is not a "bike friendly" city, there is a

Riding a bike in one of Belgrade's park

very few safe bike lanes, drivers are not used to cyclists and riding a bike can be very dangerous. Besides these drawbacks, is evident that every year more and more people choose cycling as their choice for traveling, and tourists who did not come with their bikes, at their disposal are shops that rent bikes.