Coming soon, a series of articles about the unique natural beauty, culture, and gastronomy of BiH
The story of an incomparable journey through Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the unique tourism potential of the country will soon be told by some of the world’s most prestigious media: The Guardian, National Geographic Traveler UK, Travel Weekly UK, Cable News Network (CNN), Remix New Zealand, Vacations & Travel, Süddeutsche Zeitung i New York Times!
USAID’s Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam), arranged for top travel journalists to showcase the “Bosnia and Herzegovina Expedition,” an eight-day tour across BiH launching in Spring 2023 by Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest company specializing in small group tours and adventure travel.
“We brought international media to BiH to help show why this country has earned the prestigious title of the most exciting destination in the world: unique tourist attractions, welcoming local communities, adventure, and gastronomy, intertwined with centuries-old culture.”, said Courtney Chubb, USAID Mission Director.
“USAID Turizam’s media tour also demonstrated the value of sustainable tourism that provides an authentic experience showcasing this country’s culture and traditions while magnifying benefits to local communities.”
As part of the media tour, organized by USAID in partnership with Intrepid Travel and the Global Travel Tourism Resilience Council, journalists visited Sarajevo, Mostar, Jajce, Livno, Blagaj, Počitelj, Stolac and Konjic, and participated in activities such as Bosnian cooking workshops, rafting on the Neretva River, and seeing wild horses on Cincar Mountain
“Before coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina, I did not have a clear vision of this country. My memories bind me to the 1984 Olympics and the images of war during the 90s. Today, I recognize that the diversity that once divided people is actually the invisible thread that has been uniting them all these years and makes it an incredibly beautiful place. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a crossroads of European and world history, culture and natural heritage. The vast mountain horizons through which wild horses pass, for example, were completely unexpected for me”, says Laura Powell, one of the participants of the trip.
Sustainable tourism is a growing industry worldwide, which creates an opportunity for local BiH communities to promote the specifics of their rural properties and everyday life, and turn them into a unique tourist attraction.
“BiH is an incredibly rich country, considering its historical and cultural aspects, gastronomic offer, and natural resources. I already recognize this destination as an authentic tourist brand to which tourists will be returning again and again. For Intrepid Travel, it is important that we visit countries whose local communities enrich that diversity through tourist experiences. We were amazed by what we experienced and look forward to having some of these tourist experiences included in our offer,” said Intrepid Travel representative Lucy Carolina Siebert.
USAID Turizam is supporting the private sector in their efforts to lead the growth of the tourism sector, including positioning BiH among the most exciting tourist destinations in the world.
See what the itinerary looks like for an eight-day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina organized by Intrepid Travel:
Follow [USAID BiH and USAID Turizam social media] to view the media coverage of the “Bosnia and Herzegovina Expedition,” press tour and for more updates on USAID’s support for tourism in BiH.
