InterContinental Hotels Group has announced the signing of Crowne Plaza Novi Sad in Serbia’s second largest city. The newly built hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Plaza Agns Doo Novi Sad. The 144-room hotel opening in 2016 will be located in the heart of the business district of Novi Sad, and only a short walk to the city centre for guests wanting to explore the city’s renowned 18th century architecture.

Serbia is presently exhibiting its culinary heritage at Expo Milan 2015, closely in line with the ‘Feeding The Planet, Energy For Life’ theme of the event. Here Breaking Travel News editor Chris O’Toole speaks with pavilion Bojan Stevanović about the Serbian pavilion, the country’s gastronomic history and the events guests can expect in the coming months.

Spas in Serbia are found at the foot of mountains, rich in thermal mineral springs whose variety of waters and chemical make up allow for many illnesses to be cured. A combination of natural elements and medical techniques are key to Serbia’s spa tourism.

The 32nd annual international tourism fair in Belgrade kicked off last week - with over 850 exhibitors from 41 countries on show. At a press conference hosted by the Serbia Tourist Organisation, officials laid out their plan for positioning Serbia in the international tourism market. Their focus will be concentrated on a number of core markets, with cultural & heritage tourism, cruising, city breaks, sport adventure, wine, and conventions among the most important.