Bosnia and Herzegovina was the only country to be featured in the opening session of the Evora Forum – A World for Travel, the first international tourism conference dedicated to the issue of sustainability, and two BiH ministers participated in panels dedicated to environmental protection and investments
With the support and facilitation of USAID’s Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam) project, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) took center stage at the Évora Forum – A World for Travel, the first international tourism conference dedicated to the issue of sustainability.
Over two dozen ministers and government officials and 140 speakers, professors, and industry leaders joined together at the forum and announced five urgent actions for moving the travel industry towards unified sustainability: offer reliable carbon compensation options/incentives; commit to a carbon reduction plan for every sector; prioritize investments to develop sustainable tourism; invite communities to co-design tourism solutions; and accelerate and strengthen local supply chains/ecosystems. By issuing these actions, the organizers intend to accelerate the transformation of the travel industry towards a more sustainable future.
Building on established relationships with the organizers and other influencers, Turizam secured four speaking slots for BiH, more than any other country, including two entity ministers of tourism, a representative of USAID/BiH, and the Turizam Chief of Party. BiH was the only country to be featured in the opening session with representatives of leading tourism organizations, such as the United National World Tourism Organization and World Travel & Tourism Council, and over 80 media representatives from around the world.
In total, 83 countries registered with over 3,500 registrants on the official website. The event was also streamed in the Caribbean and Latin America with a reported reach of 46,000+. Over 40 stories were developed by media representatives. BiH’s Republika Srpska Minister of Trade and Tourism Suzana Gasic was featured in an interview that was aired across the Middle East with a reach of tens of millions. USAID Turizam Chief of Party Ibrahim Osta moderated a discussion on long-term investment in sustainable tourism with speakers from the International American Development Bank, Certares, GHE, Thebe Tourism Group, and Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda.
