Bosnia and Herzegovina in London!
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) will be showcased this week to nearly 40,000 visitors at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, the most influential global event in the field of tourism. The Sarajevo Canton Tourism Association, the Herzegovina Tourism Cluster, and Fortuna Tours Mostar organized a BiH stand spanning over 100 square meters, with the support of the U.S. government. At the booth of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the tourism associations of the Central Bosnia and Tuzla Cantons were represented, as well as Marriott, Monti, Ilidža, Hills Hollywood, and Grand hotels, and the tourist agencies Holiday Bosnia, Funky Tours, Bosnia Travel, Espy Bosnia, BTS, Elegance Tours, Dream World Travel, BH Passport, and 2m Travel.
I am very pleased that the US Government, through the USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in BiH (Turizam) project, supported the organization of the BiH stand. The joint stand is a crucial step towards strengthening a strong, unified BiH brand on the global tourism scene. Through this initiative, we were able to showcase BiH’s rich culture, natural beauty, and hospitality of , open doors for numerous business opportunities and partnerships, and enhance the country’s visibilty in the global market.
WTM London is one of the key events in the global tourism industry calendar, bringing together 3,500 exhibitors from over 180 countries to exchange ideas, make deals, and learn about the latest trends and innovations in tourism. Participation in this event offers an opportunity to promote destinations, products, and services, as well as to network, learn from international tourism industry leaders, and establish strategic partnerships. WTM London sets the latest trends in the tourism sector, allowing participants to gain a competitive edge, keep up with market demands, and adapt their offerings to global tourism needs. This event provides a unique opportunity for business enhancement, understanding market trends, and positioning on the global tourism stage.
Participating in the World Travel Market in London was extremely valuable for me and my colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such events not only provide a platform to showcase what our beautiful country offers but also open numerous opportunities for learning, networking, and forming business partnerships with colleagues from around the world. It’s particularly significant that we, as representatives of BiH, appeared together under one stand that was larger and better designed than ever before. Through this joint appearance, we managed to attract more attention from visitors, media, and partners, resulting in concrete business opportunities and, ultimately, leading to an increase in visitor numbers and extended tourist stays in BiH.
This year’s WTM focused on the impact of technology on the future of tourism, including the ethics of artificial intelligence, smart tourism, and virtual reality. As part of WTM, the 17th Ministerial Summit titled “Transforming Tourism through Youth and Education” was also held. Joining distinguished speakers from around the world, representatives of USAID Turizam touted Bosnia and Herzegovina’s impressive tourism sector growth on panels dedicated to youth entering the travel industry and investing in developing tourism markets.
