Bosnia and Herzegovina: Traveling Through Sights and Tastes

Bosnia and Herzegovina Takes Center Stage at International Tourism Trade Show ITB Berlin

Berlin, Germany, March 9, 2023 –. – A Bosnia and Herzegovina ITB Berlin delegation held a major event on Wednesday promoting BiH at the world’s largest tourism fair to international media and more than 100 global tour operators. The event was co-hosted by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and major BiH tourism groups including Visit Sarajevo, Tourism Organization of Republika Srpska (in association with Fortuna Travel) and Tourism Cluster Herzegovina.

Held at the BiH exhibition zone, the “Bosnia and Herzegovina: Traveling Through Sights and Tastes” event helped to further build BiH’s internationally-recognized brand as an attractive and appealing year-round destination offering compelling world-class experiences.

During the event, the Herzegovina Wine Route, which has been revitalized with support from the U.S. government, also launched a new website (http://hwr.ba), which will help promote the route and further its link wineries, hotels, restaurants, and activities with potential international visitors. The event also featured selected local wines provided by wineries Škegro and Carska Vina Grgo Vasilj, cheese from Puđa Livno as well as local food.

This event is part of the U.S. government’s mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina to promote the country in the international marketplace. We are excited by the high turnout at this event, which shows the level of interest in the country. Joint promotion of all that BiH has to offer, like we are seeing at ITB Berlin, will help put the country on the trajectory of sustainable growth.

KARL WURSTER, USAID/BiH Head of Economic Development Office

Minister Counsellor at the BiH Embassy in Germany Izmir Talić also addressed the attendees, stating: “With the increasing interest in the Western Balkans during the last few years, and therefore in Bosnia and Herzegovina, tourist attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina are becoming more and more famous. Tourists from Germany are also very important for the tourism of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but so far we have not been able to present our tourist offer in the best possible way. I am convinced that the situation will change from today!”

Jula Skurska, deputy director of the Department for International Cooperation in the city administration of Kharkiv, Ukraine, was among the event’s visitors. She stated: “I am impressed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and its culture. The news for me was the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina has outstanding wine and very tasty food. So now I’m planning to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina!”

With the aim of positioning Bosnia and Herzegovina as a competitive destination on the global market, the United States government, through USAID’s Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam) project is advancing human capital in the tourism sector, improving access to finance for tourism businesses, developing innovative tourist products, harmonizing policies and regulations, and revolutionizing destination branding and promotion. Through a broad-based approach to sustainable tourism development, USAID Turizam will contribute to economic growth and social harmony in Bosnia and Herzegovina.