USAID’s Turizam project is advancing sustainable tourism in BiH by promoting GSTC standards, training local professionals, and aligning the sector with global sustainability benchmarks to foster long-term growth and cultural preservation.
USAID’s Turizam project is advancing the adoption of internationally recognized sustainability standards in the country’s tourism sector. A recent key initiative involved translating the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Criteria into the local language and distributing them widely through social media, the USAID Turizam website, and to the Republika Srpska (RS) Ministry of Trade and Tourism (RS MTT) and the FBiH Ministry of Environment and Tourism (FMoET).
The GSTC MICE Criteria provide guidelines for sustainable planning in the MICE sector, focusing on maximizing benefits for local communities, preserving cultural heritage, and reducing environmental impacts. These criteria align with global sustainability standards and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), particularly SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.
To build local capacity, Turizam facilitated participation in the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP). Out of over 80 applicants, nine professionals, including representatives from RS MTT and the FMoET, successfully completed the course and earned GSTC Professional Certificates in Sustainable Tourism. Five participants excelled, qualifying for the Trainer of Trainers (ToT) program to deliver local sustainable tourism training and enhance national expertise.
By empowering industry professionals and aligning with global benchmarks, Turizam is strengthening the country’s capacity to develop a more sustainable tourism sector. This progress positions BiH as a responsible tourism destination, unlocking opportunities for long-term growth while ensuring environmental protection and cultural preservation.
This initiative highlights USAID Turizam’s commitment to fostering local expertise and supporting the integration of sustainable tourism practices. The GSTC MICE criteria can be found at the following link.
