USAID Turizam and Sarajevo Taxi have joined forces to enhance the tourist experience in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Taxi drivers play a crucial role in promoting tourism as they are often among the first people to greet travelers, whether they are domestic tourists, visitors from the region, or from other parts of the world. They can be the best ambassadors for their city and local tourism, as they have the opportunity to shape travelers’ first impressions of the place they are visiting.
Recognizing this opportunity, the US government, through the USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project (Turizam), and in partnership with the Sarajevo Taxi Association, has worked on improving the role of the taxi industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rapidly developing tourism sector. So far, 485 taxi drivers have completed courses that will enhance their hospitality skills and enable more effective communication with tourists through the Turizam Academy—a free online education platform for the tourism sector.
Drivers have had the opportunity to gain more knowledge and skills so that they can offer visitors interesting stories about tourist attractions while driving through the streets of Sarajevo.
Additionally, all vehicles of the Sarajevo Taxi Association are now equipped with promotional stickers featuring QR codes that lead to useful information and guides about tourist attractions in Sarajevo and its surroundings.
As USAID continues to work with local partners to increase the number of visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina, this partnership represents a new innovative strategy to involve companies and organizations outside the traditional tourism sector to enhance visitors’ positive impressions. Better tourist experiences will attract more regional and international guests, encourage longer stays, and increase tourism revenue, contributing to the country’s overall economic growth.
Sarajevo Taxi from a New Perspective: Taxi Drivers as Key Links with Tourists
Sarajevo Taxi is the oldest taxi drivers’ association in Bosnia and Herzegovina, established in 1946. Around 700 taxi vehicles and 72 taxi stands are located throughout the city in areas with high demand for transportation services – particularly in front of hotels, the railway and bus stations, at the airport, and at all major cultural and historical sites in the city.
Taxi drivers will now enhance the overall tourist experience by offering valuable advice and assistance, helping tourists make the most of their stay in Sarajevo and spreading a positive narrative about the city and its rich cultural and historical heritage.
“On behalf of the Sarajevo Taxi Association, I am proud of our partnership with the USAID Turizam project, as we introduce an innovative approach and raise service standards. This initiative will undoubtedly improve the travel experience for our guests, and we are also proud to contribute to the positive image of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a hospitable destination on the global scene. Thanks to the dedication of our members and the support of the USAID Turizam project, Sarajevo Taxi is a pioneer in this practice,” says Enver Suljagić, President of the Sarajevo Taxi Association.
Below, you can watch a video where Courtney Chubb introduces the new tourist service of Sarajevo Taxi:
USAID Turizam is a five-year project valued at $20 million. It was launched in 2020 to utilize the immense potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tourism industry in partnership with local institutions and companies. Through this project, the U.S. government is working to strengthen human capital in the tourism sector, improve access to finance for tourism companies, develop innovative tourism products, align policies and regulations, and help Bosnia and Herzegovina build its international brand and promote destinations within the country to travelers from around the world.
