Italy, the home of wine tourism, is in the spotlight this week for the tourism sector and everyone in the value chain of companies that rely on tourism from around the world. The small town of Alba in Piedmont is the host of the 6th. Global Conferences on Wine Tourism organized by the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations. With the support of the USAID Turizam project, winemakers from the area of Trebinje, Međugorje and Ljubuški, representatives of the Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska and the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are attending this important conference. USAID Turizam Chief of Party Ibrahim Osta and Communications Specialist Gorčin Dizdar presented the Herzegovina Wine Route to the conference participants. After the presenation, Bosnia and Herzegovina delgation met with the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili. The Secretary-General expressed his interest in visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and learning about tourist attractions, as well as the activities of organizations involved in the development of tourism.
Milica Anđelić from “Anđelić Cellar” is one of the participants of this important gathering.
“This is an extremely useful experience for us winemakers. Due to the fact that we are establishing the Herzegovina Wine Road, we have a tremendous opportunity to learn new things. The wine route is made up of more than just winemakers; it also includes individuals who preserve tradition, those who produce traditional food, and those who protect cultural and historical heritage. For the next steps we will take together, attending an event like this and having the possibility to discuss what we have to offer is crucial “explains Anđelić.
Ana Lakić, Head of the Tourism Product Development sector at the Tourism Organization of the Republika Srpska, notes that wine tourism is an important part of the domestic offer.
“Attending the conferences that are organized in relation to the country’s tourism products is crucial. The basis for the future development is being laid through conferences on wine tourism and conversations about the direction of tourism in general. We are here because of the admission of the Herzegovina Wine Route into the Iter Vitis Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and to learn how to address challenges and use the best opportunities that are coming. This is important not only for winemakers but also for us as tourism organizations and chamber members. It is crucial that we participate in initiatives that spark fresh thinking, collaboration, and development of a future route that will link tourism-related products into a final product not just in Herzegovina but also in other parts of the country “noted Lakić.
According to Ognjenka Lalović, director of the economy sector of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FTC), our story may benefit from innovations from other countries around the world.
“We came to learn from others’ experiences and to discuss ways to motivate wineries and tour operators to develop a wine tourism-based product. We are interested in learning about innovations in wine tourism, particularly in the area of digital marketing. We are ready to learn, to take on experience, and to present the Herzegovina Wine Route in the best possible way” finished Lalović.
Thirty wineries are located along the Herzegovina Wine Route route in six towns and cities (Mostar, Čitluk, Ljubuški, Čapljina, Stolac, and Trebinje).
