From 25 May to 1 June, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) hosted the International Rafting Federation (IRF) World Rafting Championship (WRC) 2022, with over 60 teams and more than 400 competitors representing 22 countries. The WRC was held on the rivers Vrbas, Drina and Tara in the cities of Banja Luka and Foča. International Rafting Federation (IRF) recognized BiH as a country with a great potential for developing adventure tourism, and decided to provide their suppport to the Una Regatta rafting event, that was held in the tradtional three stages – from Martin Brod, Štrbački Buk, Bihać and Bosanska Krupa, from July 27 to July 30.
USAID Turizam project promotes safe rafting in BiH according to the standards of International Rafting Federation (IRF). As part of the World Rafting Championship support, USAID Turizam provided assistance to the IRF’s Guide Training & Education Program (GTE Program) for 24 rafting guides across BiH. Joseph Willis Jones, the IRF President, stated that BiH’s river are truly intriguing and rare phenomenon in the world. He pointed out that this is an exceptional project, which once again confirms the multiculturalism and unity that IRF tends to promote through rafting. During his stay in BiH, Joseph Willis Jones, IRF President, organized a series of meetings with rafting clubs in BiH, which is a significant step in promoting BiH as a future most exciting adventure tourism destination.
Adventure tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism sector, attracting higher-spending visitors supporting local economies, and encouraging sustainable practices. Natural heritage conservation of one destination is an imperative in adventure tourism. USAID Turizam ensured official IRF support to promote not only safe rafting in BiH, but also the better integration of sustainable practices in the process of conserving the BiH natural heritage.
