Lead Partner Economic Development Agency of Timis County, Partners Regional Agency for Socio economic development - Banat Ltd., Republic of Serbia; Regional Chamber of Economy Zrenjanin, Republic of Serbia;

The Strategy is a necessary reaction for the need to capitalize Bega Canal navigability potential for touristic, leisure and recreational functions.  The Bega Canal is from several points of view one of the key links of Romanian and Serbian communities. With a total length of 116 km (44 km in Romanian territory and 72 km in Serbian territory), the Bega Canal could be considered as a living boulevard connecting the two countries.

The strategic planning documentation was formulated by the project partnership composed of Timis County Economic and Social Development Agency, Regional Development Agency – Banat, Zrenjanin and Regional Chamber of Economy from Zrenjanin, during the implementation of the project ”Joint development of Romanian-Serbian Bega Canaltourism potential capitalization study and promotion of cross-border foreground investments”, financed within „Romania-Republic of Serbia IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007 - 2013”.

The Strategy emphasizes the main bottlenecks in developing the Bega Canal as well as possible solutions. The main problems of the Bega Canal that needed resolving through this strategy are the lack of touristic facilities, the degradation of canal banks, factors that, in the absence of joint strategic vision and joint investments, will further decrease the Canal tourism, esthetic values and the value of life itself. Also, considering that the Bega Canal is one of the significant waterways for Zrenjanin, Zitiste and Timișoara, its revival concerning navigation, even if only in line with the original parameters, would mean connecting Banat, both to the Black Sea and the North Sea, through the existing system of canals in Serbia DTD (Danube – Tisa - Danube) and the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal.

Taking into account its historic heritage and touristic potential, the local responsible actors and authorities have started to jointly analyze and adopt steps necessary for the revitalization of the Canal area. To this end, project partnership alongside all relevant institutions have defined strategic directions and priorities in order to revitalize the Bega Canaland improve touristic potentials and offer in cross-border area.

The common tourism development strategy of Romanian – Serbian Bega Canal area formulation provides coordinating support mechanisms for tourism, local and regional organizations and agencies by creating the proper framework for debating and reaching agreement on joint projects, joint business opportunities and even joint leisure activities, under its specific strategic vision:

”By 2030, Bega Canal is an internationally recognised tourism destination known for outstanding experience in boating, sports and leisure, diverse cultures, integrated communities and protected nature”

Slogan: „Just feeling good”