Tourism workers assess that the new rules can be significant for branding Macedonia as a destination recognizable for its traditional gastronomy and rural tourism.
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Macedonian means and village households receive new rules and special marks, which will guarantee their authenticity and traditional character. With the changes of The law on catering businessnew criteria are being introduced for national restaurants – meani, as well as for village households in rural areas, with the aim of preserving Macedonian gastronomy, culture and tourist offer.
One of the most significant innovations is the introduction of a special label “national restaurant – Meana”, which will be issued by the state administration authority responsible for the catering industry. The mark will be an official confirmation that the catering facility offers an authentic Macedonian experience and meets the legally established criteria.
To receive this label, the restaurant must first have a valid categorization. In addition, at least 70 percent of the offer in the dining list will have to be composed of domestic traditional dishes, while international specialties can be represented on a smaller scale. In the case of beverages, the requirement is even stricter – at least 80 percent of the offer of wines and other beverages should be domestically produced.
The law also provides for the obligation that the building’s setting reflects the Macedonian tradition. This means the use of natural materials in the arrangement, as well as the placement of traditional cultural elements, folk instruments, costumes, old dishes and other household items that represent Macedonian history and culture. And the staff will have to wear clothes with traditional motifs, while the music performed in the facility will have to be original and with acoustic sound.
The procedure for obtaining the label will be carried out by a five-member commission established by the minister responsible for hospitality. Its members will be representatives of the state administration, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the tourist chambers and the catering sector. The Commission will have to make a decision within 30 days from the submission of the request, and the issued label will be valid for three years. The cost of the procedure will be borne by the caterer himself.
A new designation for rural households as well
In addition to the changes, the legal changes also bring news for rural households that deal with rural tourism. Until now, they worked on the basis of categorization prescribed by law, but there was no additional mark that would confirm their authenticity and connection with local tradition.
According to the current legal solutions, accommodation services can be provided in village households in a maximum of 10 rooms or up to 20 beds. In addition to accommodation, they can prepare and serve hot and cold food, drinks and potions mainly of their own production for up to 50 visitors at a time.
The law also allows the organization of wine and brandy tastings, as well as the serving of home-made food in arranged closed or open spaces.
With the new changes, after the categorization, rural households will be able to receive a special mark that will confirm that they meet the standards for rural tourism and traditional offer. The label will be issued by the competent state authority, and its form and content will be determined by the minister responsible for hospitality.
To receive this recognition, households will have to meet several additional conditions. Apart from the valid categorization, they will have to provide an environment decorated with natural materials and traditional elements of Macedonian culture. Objects that represent the local tradition, such as folk instruments, costumes, traditional vessels and other cultural landmarks, will have to be represented in the facilities.
In addition, the food and drinks offered to the guests will have to be domestically and ecologically produced. With this, the legislator intends to encourage the use of local products and provide an authentic gastronomic experience for tourists.
The procedure for awarding the mark will be led by a special three-member commission composed of a representative of the competent catering authority, a representative of the tourist chambers and a representative of the catering industry. In this case too, the decision will be made within 30 days from the submission of the request, and the mark will be valid for three years. The costs of the procedure will be borne by the head of the village household.
New rules for discotheques, cabarets and apartments for rent, double the fees and fines
Encouragement for rural tourism and protection of tradition
With the introduction of these labels, the institutions expect to increase the quality of the tourist offer and to create a clear difference between the facilities that really offer a traditional Macedonian experience and those that operate according to commercial models. At the same time, the measure is expected to contribute to greater promotion of home cuisine, Macedonian wines, local products and cultural heritage.
Tourism workers assess that the new rules can be a significant step towards branding Macedonia as a destination recognizable for its traditional gastronomy and rural tourism. If the criteria are applied consistently, visitors will have greater certainty that behind the label is an authentic offer that represents the Macedonian tradition in its original form.
