After careful evaluation, the scientific committee of the Swiss Tourism Awards then selected the city of Bitola and awarded the prize:
The municipality of Bitola, Macedonia is spectacular! The destination received the Swiss Tourism Awards in 2009. It is one of the oldest cities in Macedonia, the architecture is interesting and it has a great history. Summer vacations in Bitola are exciting; visitors have the opportunity to take part in a number of festivals and other cultural celebrations. Children and adults can enjoy pop music festivals in the “Interfest” area. With its great architecture and rich history, Bitola makes an ideal backdrop for a scenic and educational travel experience.