Bihać records successful summer season, Una River captivates tourists

(Patria) - Bihać records increasing visitor numbers year after year.

Demand for accommodation is growing, and the season is unfolding with rich content and growing interest from visitors. While numbers rise, the Tourist Board (TZ) says there is still room for improvement.

Bihać is recording a successful season again this year. The number of tourists has increased by about four percent compared to last year, which was already a record year in terms of visits.

Domestic guests and tourists from Saudi Arabia still dominate, but an increase in arrivals from European countries is also noticeable, reports BHRT.

- Nature is number one, our beauty the Una River, Una National Park, rich history and cultural landmarks, rich gastronomic offer, the cordiality and hospitality of our people.

Prices are still more favourable compared to the neighbourhood, which I hope will remain so, that we will not go high with accommodation and service prices - says Dijana Pečenković, director of the Bihać Tourist Board.

Tourists visiting the city on the Una River this summer do not hide their delight.

"Everyone is so pleasant and everyone is ready to help, we are positively surprised," "This is the fourth time I have been here, a very nice place. This is the most beautiful and enchanting river," "Everything is clean, every year I want to visit Bosnia, this place," tourists say.

In addition to the natural beauties and landmarks that are the city's trademark, Bihać also offers a rich cultural and entertainment programme in the summer. Particularly notable are the performing arts festival "Bihaćko ljeto", Summer fest and the International Una Regatta, which gathers the largest number of visitors every year.

Due to high demand, it is increasingly difficult to find accommodation, which is confirmed by tour guide Almir Kurtović.

- Lately, we really have a problem with this occupancy, so that those who decide suddenly or spontaneously to come to Bihać cannot find a place. This is another thing we can register, but we cannot do anything about it.

Mechanisms are needed to observe and monitor these trends and a balance between the so-called apartmentisation of the entire region and hotel accommodations - says Almir Kurtović, tour guide for the Una-Sana Canton and Sarajevo Canton.

The TZ states that they are satisfied with the number of visits, but believe that Bihać has the capacity for even better results. As they note, tourist movements are also influenced by world events, but despite this, the city is increasingly positioning itself as a desirable destination, receiving a growing number of tourists every year.