In the past week, Berlin hosted ITB, the largest global tourism fair. Among more than 5000 exhibitors from over 160 countries was also a delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina consisting of representatives from more than 20 organizations and companies from both public and private sectors. Regional tourism organizations, travel agencies, and hotels presented themselves at the joint stand of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thereby contributing to the strengthening of our country’s brand at international level.
“I have been coming to ITB Berlin for 15 years, first as a visitor and then as an exhibitor, and I can say with certainty that this year we have the most serious and most professional presentation of Bosnia and Herzegovina so far. With a joint stand of more than 130 square meters, we are partnering with other global destinations that invest substantial resources in displaying their tourism potential to visitors at this fair,” said Skender Hatibović, owner of Funky Tours agency from Sarajevo.
International Promotion of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a Destination
With the support of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam), the joint stand of Bosnia and Herzegovina was presented by the Tourism Association of Canton Saraje – Visit Sarajevo, the Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska (TORS), Herzegovina Tourism Cluster, Fortuna Tours from Mostar, and numerous travel agencies, hotels, and other representatives of the tourism sector.
“The U.S. government through the USAID Turizam project is making significant efforts to strengthen the brand of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a destination in the highly competitive international tourism and travel market. We are very happy to have contributed to gathering numerous partners from the tourism sector at the joint stand of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to have participated in its design and creation. USAID Turizam will continue to support partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue investing in international promotion as one of the key factors for further growth of this important sector of BiH economy.“
Feđa begović, USAID Turizam Chief of Party
During the ITB Berlin, BiH delegation met with the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Germany, Damir Arnaut, who then visited the joint stand of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In conversation with representatives of the tourism sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Arnaut expressed full support for a series of projects and initiatives aimed at increasing the number of tourist arrivals to Bosnia and Herzegovina from Germany.
“The Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska has been coming to ITB for 10 years, and it is a very significant experience for us. We are not a destination for mass tourism, but our goal is to attract our people from the diaspora to visit Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina with their friends, and at the same time to exchange experiences and see where we stand in international comparison. We are recognized for active holidays and stays in nature, which is increasingly in demand in the global market,” said thedirector of TORS Miodrag Lončarević.
New Destination Website for Bosnia and Herzegovina
As part of ITB, the international public was introduced to the new destination website of Bosnia and Herzegovina – www.discoverbih.com – developed by the FTC BiH with the support of the USAID Turizam project. This website is a digital portal that opens doors to the world of untouched natural beauties, rich cultural heritage, and authentic experiences that this country offers. The site also aims to facilitate easier connections with local tour operators and service providers, thereby encouraging direct contact and bookings, making Bosnia and Herzegovina even more accessible and attractive to all travelers eager to explore.
“Thanks to the Tourism Association of Canton Sarajevo, which gathered co-exhibitors from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina and provided an attractive exhibition space, fair visitors have the opportunity to get acquainted with our entire rich tourism offering, culture, history, and natural heritage. Co-exhibitors were agencies Funky Tours, Saray Bosnia Travel, Green Travel, 2M Travel, Elegance Tours, Pangaia Travel, Hotels Ilidža, Hills & Hollywood, Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana, Courtyard by Marriott and Ibis Styles, as well as the tourist communities of Tuzla Canton, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, and the City of Bihać,” said Vesna Hasanović, associate at the tourist information center Tourism Association of Canton Sarajevo
Vesna Hasanović, Associate in the tourist information center Tourism Association of Canton Sarajevo
Significant Award for the City of Trebinje
A strong presence at ITB Berlin, the leading global tourism fair, is crucial for strengthening the brand of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a destination on the international level. By participating at this prestigious event, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the opportunity to present its unique culture, rich history, and natural beauty to a wide audience, including key international players in the travel and tourism sector. In this way, the visibility of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an attractive tourism destination is increased, important business connections and partnerships are built, which will ultimately lead to an increase in the number of visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina and an extension of their stay, as well as higher tourism revenues for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The successful performance of Bosnia and Herzegovina at ITB was crowned with the GOLDEN STAR award for the best promotional tourism video within the competition the Golden City Gate 2024 in the Eco Tourism category. This award was won by the promotional video “Trebinje goes green” by Slavenko Vukasović, whose creation and nomination were supported by the City of Trebinje, the Development Agency of the City of Trebinje TREDEA, and the Tourism Association of the City of Trebinje.
