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Eurovision 2008: Serbia profits greatly from Eurovision
According to Aleksandar Tijanic, general director of the Serbian broadcaster, RTS spent 8,5 million euros for the event. The entire cost of the organisation was in the neighbourhood of 21 million euros. RTS was funded with 10 million euros from the Serbian government for HD equipment and the City of Belgrade invested 2 more million euros.
But what was Serbia actually looking for was not just to make a financial profit from organising the contest. The prevalent feeling was to show European press and public the modern, hospitable and friendly face of the country: "We took great care of the fund we had at our disposal. According to the latest data, RTS spent 8,5 million euros on the Eurovision Song Contest. However, Serbia's profit is over billion euros, the value of the fact that you turned 3 thousand bloodthirsty journalists into friends who glorified Belgrade during their 10-day-stay, seeing Serbians as friendly, cordial and hospitable European nation living eventful and passionate lives, speaking different languages, with good looks and decent behavior," Aleksandar Tijanic told Blic.
Between 11.000 to 15.000 of foreign fans and press members visited Serbia for the duration of the contest, many spending up to two weeks in the capital city, something that reasonable prices of accomodation, food and transport made possible. Although it is difficult to estimate the exact amount of income for the local businesses it could be said that it reaches tens of millions euro. "Belgrade hosted about 15,000 foreigners who spent much money in restaurants, cafes, hotels, but it is hard to estimate the exact sum. We have invested much money, but I think that the money also returned to Serbia. However, much more important is an incredible promotion that Serbia gained. All European countries recognized Belgrade as an excellent host, and our people as very hospitable.The image of our city is not the same anymore," Zoran Alimpic, Deputy Mayor of the City of Belgrade says to Blic.
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I think Kosovo is late for next season already - it took Azerbaijan some time after becoming a member of everything and anything to become eligible to participate, wasn't that so.
Realistically, Kosovo would probably get to compete in up to 3 years.
in the years of Jugovizija, Radio Television Pristina never got the chance to leave a memorable mark - having said that, any other JRT member other than RTV Zagreb had minimal chances to push their product through. However, RT Pristina is the holder of one of the nicest Yugovision entries of all time, Violeta Redzepagic's 1987 "Nuk Te Harroj", a ravishing jazzy ballad sang in Albanian.
I don't expect Kosovo to enter soon either. When they do, it will good for Serbia and Albania - who will inevitably receive 10 and 12 points. It would be good for others as well - Albania and Kosovo's exchange of 12 points would cancel each other out in the same way Greece and Cyprus always do - which, most of the time, is like throwing 12 points away because it has no impact on the results and enables other countries' 12 points to have a much bigger impact. However, depending on how involved Serbia gets with Kosovar Serbs, those living north of Mitrovica might have no access to the Kosovar telecommunications system. They might have Serbian phone lines instead and then they can't vote from Kosovo at all and will just contribute to choosing Serbia's points to give out.
I do like some of their artists, though. Zanfina is probably my favorite: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZSC5EyV2OJU
@ Sam
I dont think they will enter that fast now coz they have to enter EU first and then be able to participate. Maybe in 2, 3 years i dont know.
If they enter we will have 8 points guaranted coz there are lot of Serbs there, so it only can be a good thing for Serbian ESC singers
@ 89
Say, I don't know if this will offend you, but what do you think of the rumours of Kosovo entering Eurovision next year - they need to be a UN or Council of Europe member and then join EBU some time before the next contest to be eligible for Moscow 2009.
I hope we have those country postcards back - I'd like to have a good nose around Moscow !
Minou, you have to know that Serbia is NOT one of the richest countries in Europe, so probably, there was no money left for "colouring" the city with "eurovision atmosphere"... unfortunately...
Reasonable prices of accomodation?? That must be a joke.
I' initially planed to go to Serbia for ESC, but they doubled the price for the same accomodationI had some months ago there, and I was not willing to pay this! The same was telling me my friend who was there during this time.
Sorry, but journalists here were also not writing the best things about the accomodations there. The prices were almost everywhere too high for the standards of the hotels.
One journalist reported that he paid 40 Euros for the taxiride from the airport to the city, which normally cots about 12 Euro.
I also read somwhere that the ESC-ambience could have been a bit more intensive. The city could have done more for showing the cities ESC-joyousness.
But apart from this you can definitely say that the people are very friendly, hospitable and decent.
@ w s
it is the same guy, just his hair is shorter now.
its the same from riga, istanbul, athens and helsinki, and he gave votes in belgrade also
@ sam
RTS wanted something new and fresh to present between songs. personaly, id like to see my country's postcards instead of those, but i thin they were original and cute. many tv station broadcasting eurovision were positive surprised about them.
the stage was absolutely the best ever, with so many colors, lights and able to completely change for each song. it looked similar to helsinki but it was better, and it has a story of confluence of 2 rivers. red and blue dancers represented colors of serbian flags, and 2 rivers, the confluence which was the theme of this year's contest and it was used in logo, stage design and actualy, everything this year.
Did Slovenia use another spokesperson then last year? Last year's guy (with the flashlight) was very cute, and if I remember correctly (I was a little bit drunk) this year's was not the same.
New York City
Yes, that's been widely noted too. 
The Slovene announcer took the cream as usual with a couple of well chosen words - even though there was a cheeky ring to it. He's invariably amusing to watch, I really like that guy, Peter.
Does anybody know why there were no films in between each act of sights around Serbia - important convention which makes Eurovision what it is for me. Other than that very impressed with the stage, certainly the best I've seen since the constest went to a big arena, opening titles were also the best I've seen.
Is Belrade still too war-torn to show on international television - sorry if that might insult anyone here ?
Only criticism: To me I though red and blue use was a bit too overly patriotic especially with the stage shaped by the two rivers - couldn't forget those colours after Saturday night.
I missed that bit, but there was that mismatched conversation between Zeljko and the Croatian announceress, he was addresing her in Domestic whilst she replied in English - but surely that was just because she wasn't expecting it
She had good English, that Croatian announcer. Montenegro's girl mixed domestic and English in an even weirder way, lol. I liked our announcer too this year, so much better than Vesna.
Moldova again had New York City or some such thing as their backdrop for announcing their votes. That makes me laugh every year.
Darko: It was very nice to receive 12 points from Serbia this year, especially with the contest being held in Belgrade. That announcer, though, hahaha... I wonder what she was about to say instead of Hercegovina? She said it so strange. "Bosna i Herrr...ccc...eee...ggg...ovin a!" It's like she swallowed a bug or something, really funny. lol
Hopefully Eurovision will be here someday!
I was actually thinking the same, prompted by Laka's brilliant showing. The song was (and probably still is) a HUGE radio favourite and his success over here is bigger than it may seem. It was an affectionate and wholehearted 12 from Serbia.
Hopefully it won't be too long now before your wish comes true 
I think Serbia did a really good job, good show, nice stage, nice introductionfilms, the only thing bad about this year...was the voting and that's something serbia had nothing to do with....
I just wanted to share this with everyone, especially the people from the former Yugoslavia. Dino Merlin (who represented Bosnia in Israel with Putnici) and Hari Mata Hari (who represented Bosnia in Athens with Lejla) have a new duet, just premiered yesterday. The video was filmed in Bascarsija, the oldest part of Sarajevo, and it's cute. They have a woman from one local football club and a man from another dancing together - there's even an Orthodox Christian priest, a Catholic priest, and a Muslim imam playing limbo - hehehe. It's cute.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YfYel-qV1xc
Hopefully Eurovision will be here someday!
For me staying in Belgrade was so and so. I saw a 3nd row city that tries to enter into modern world. Many buildings look so sad, but if there were money to renovate them, then the city could become a holiday destination.
For me the worst was that something smells bad in the city. Maybe the rivers? Maybe a factory? I don't know but I couldn't stand it.
As for the people I can't say anything except that they are friendly and helpful.
If I would go again in Belgrade? No.
should have take advantage of the eurovision & promote their landscapes. but they didn't & they showed to europe some poor postcards.
yes, i like eurovision this year...well done serbia...you hit the mark......there were fantastic and unique eurovision nigths...everything was diffirent(except votings)...after greece and finland eurovisions, these nights were extraordinary
Thanks everyone who made comments, good or bad... doesn't matter. Craig, I'm really glad u had pleasant time. Welcome anytime again.
Djamila...I loved Romanian postcard as well. hehehe. U can guess why, looooool. 
I met many wonderful people from all over Europe (and Australia) in last 2 weeks, it was wonderful experience for me. Hope to see some of those guys again.. one day...somewhere. Would be great.
Friends 4ever. :*
You know......I visited Serbia a little bit nervous. I had no idea what to expect and how safe it would be. I was especially nervous about the fact I was from the UK, and also felt some form of shame and guilt for what had happend in the past.
I was blown away, really really very taken aback by how friendly, secure and hospital the city was. The people were some of the nicest I have ever met and one phrase that crossed my mind throughout the whole week was "you'd never be treated as nice as this in London!"
I have left with very fond memories and I have gone on and on and on at my friends and colleagues about how they should visit the city. I really do have a piece of Belgrade in my heart now, I have travelled all over Europe, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Germany but never never never experienced such a pleasing time as in Belgrade Serbia.
Thankyou Belgrade for such a lovely time, and I'm so pleased that its all worked out well for you.
I too loved the postcards. The first one, I was confused... I thought at first... why is it in Latin alphabet? And why so much red and gold, that's more suited to Montenegro? But then I had to see every one and I couldn't wait to see what it would be for my country, hahaha. I liked it. I liked Romania best, I think, hahaha. Russia's was very... lol... friendly.
visite http://clubmusicportugal.blogspot.com /
eurovision blog
we didn't show the NEW FACE of serbia,we've always been like this,most of you just don't have a chance to see our real face..... i am so so glad that most of you had great time in belgrade,and i am sorry if you experienced something bad and by our fault...
The show was great. I liked the stage very much and the postcards.
Bearing in mind what happened to the Norwegian guys with Swedish flags I wonder if Serbian people have a grudge against Swedes. I've never been to Serbia but to "neighbouring" countries Croatia, Albania, Hungary and Bulgaria and people there were all friendly.
Thanks for everybody who was involved in organisation. Thanks for serbian hospitality. We' ve had nice days in Belgrade [and other places in Serbia too]. People are friendly, service is cheap and good, atmosphere is relaxed. Maybe some day I'll go there again
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