Adis Tanović: What BiH Can Learn from Tourist Powerhouse Slovenia

Tourism expert Adis Tanović analyzed the tourist offer of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Patria News Agency.
BiH is a country of natural beauty that can attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and increase the annual GDP. However, for tourists to spend money in BiH, the country must invest in tourism. First and foremost, investment is needed in infrastructure on the mountains. Because, apart from snow, we can offer tourists almost nothing else. And this year, there is no snow on the BiH mountains.

Tanović explains what Bosnia and Herzegovina can learn from the European tourist powerhouse Slovenia.

By: Adis Tanović

I will not compare the tourism of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the whole of Europe, but with a smaller part of it - Slovenia.

Airports, railways, and roads are important factors in the development and sustainability of tourism. After years of work on developing this economic branch, some countries, before a statistical increase in the number of tourists, now prioritize the segment of society that visits them. Bosnia and Herzegovina still welcomes every tourist.  

One of the conditions for deciding to travel is the quality of a country's transport infrastructure. Given the state of this infrastructure, Bosnia and Herzegovina can even be satisfied with the constant increase in the number of tourists.

In days when there is no snow on the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is evident how much we lack other facilities that could retain tourists.

The tourism of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia has not differed only in the last 20 years. Since the distant '60s and '70s, this country has been working on developing tourism; it has been improving transport infrastructure and accompanying service facilities.

Slovenia continues to improve Hočko Pohorje even today. Although this tourist destination has been known for the last 60 years. Back in 1964, the first women's ski race, named "Golden Fox," was held here. From then until today, millions of tourists from all over the world have visited this destination.

The city of Sarajevo, or rather the mountain Jahorina, due to the lack of snow in Hočko Pohorje, had the honor of hosting this prestigious competition in 1975. Unfortunately, today we are not utilizing the serious opportunity presented.

During winter, Pohorje today offers ski and snowboard schools, a snow kindergarten, night skiing from the top of Pohorje, natural and artificial ice skating... In days when there is no snow, you can take the cable car (gondola) to interesting parts of the mountain and enjoy walking on marked hiking trails. During the summer, you can enjoy summer tobogganing, horseback riding, cycling on maintained bike trails, playing golf, and enjoying the adrenaline park.
However, Pohorje does not stop investing in infrastructure even after all this.

The situation is similar with Kranjska Gora, which is the second-largest ski resort in Slovenia after Hočko Pohorje.

The entire place has been renovated, and the built facilities, harmoniously integrated into the surroundings, give a special charm to this beautiful place. The extensive hotel and catering offer is complemented by shops with a rich selection.

Just a few kilometers from Kranjska Gora is Planica, where ski jumping competitions are held every year. Before each upcoming season, the roads, access routes, and walking paths are redone.

The natural lakes Bled and Bohinj, Slovenia's most famous waterfall Savica, located within Triglav National Park, and the Vintgar natural monument are just some of the places you can visit throughout the year.

What all these tourist places in Slovenia have in common is quality hotel accommodation, catering services, and diverse recreational facilities.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is far from such a tourist offer. Near natural lakes, we have almost no quality hotel accommodation, and the catering offer is modest. Recreational facilities are lacking.