An increasing number of North Mitrovica citizens interested in traveling after visa liberalization

This year, November 11 – Armistice Day in World War I, also a national holiday and therefore a non-working day – has brought an extended weekend. For the first time, residents of Kosovo holding Serbian travel documents, specifically passports issued by Serbia's Coordination Directorate, now have the opportunity to travel more easily with family or friends. With visa restrictions lifted for travel to European countries, citizens of North Mitrovica are interested in visiting popular destinations, and they are already planning new trips for the upcoming winter holidays.

Nenad Stojakovic, owner of the "Holiday" travel agency, tells Kosovo Online that there is interest in trips for the extended weekend and that for this occasion, a trip to Budapest was organized.

He adds that there are also smaller, individual groups traveling to Lisbon, Milan, and Istanbul, as well as larger groups heading to Prague and Venice.

Stojakovic is pleased to report that seniors from the Economics High School were the first group to travel to Greece without visas.

He notes there were no issues on the trip.

“It was a bit unusual, they saw these types of passports for the first time. The only issue is that you still can't cross at the General Jankovic checkpoint with these passports, so we had to take a detour," Stojakovic said, suggesting that this matter should be addressed in future negotiations.

The procedure for traveling with passports issued by Serbia's Coordination Directorate is now the same as for all passports, as all border crossings have been notified about the visa liberalization, Stojakovic explained.

He expects that this decision will boost interest in travel around New Year's and Christmas, and his agency will offer a "selection" of trips to over 30 European cities – especially those in the region where New Year's celebrations with popular singers are traditionally held, as well as other European destinations with seasonal events.

Some residents of North Mitrovica took advantage of the extended weekend to travel, while others say they haven't yet picked up their passports but are considering using them for winter vacations.

"I don’t have a passport yet, but of course, I will definitely go to Montenegro. I’m traveling this weekend to enjoy the nice weather," one Mitrovica resident said.

A woman from the same area said she won’t be traveling this weekend but is planning a New Year's trip.

"The visa liberalization means a lot to us, allowing us to travel and correcting an injustice to some extent. We did wait and were the last to receive liberalization, but it is meaningful for us to go and see things since we have been 'closed in a pot' for almost 30 years. I see people traveling, and I’m planning to do the same for New Year," she said.

Another Mitrovica resident mentioned that she will stay in town because she doesn’t have the extended weekend off due to work.

"We'll see, maybe we will take advantage of this new opportunity and travel somewhere further, at least to central Serbia," she added.