Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the most significant world tourism fair in London

(Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina presented itself this week to an audience of almost 40,000 visitors at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, the most influential global event in the field of tourism.

The Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton, the Herzegovina Tourist Cluster, and Fortuna Tours Mostar organized the Bosnia and Herzegovina stand, which covered over 100 m2, with the support of the US Government. The Bosnia and Herzegovina stand also featured the Tourist Boards of Central Bosnia and Tuzla Cantons, hotels Marriott, Monti, Ilidža, Hills, Hollywood and Grand, as well as travel agencies Holiday Bosnia, Funky Tours, Bosnia Travel, Espy Bosnia, BTS, Elegance Tours, Dream World Travel, BH Passport, and 2m Travel.

“I am very pleased that the US Government, through USAID’s Sustainable Tourism Development Project in BiH (Turizam), supported the organization of the stand. A joint stand is a crucial step towards strengthening the unique brand of BiH on the global tourism scene. Through this initiative, we have managed to present the rich culture, natural beauty, and hospitality of BiH, open doors for numerous business opportunities and partnerships, and enhance the country's visibility in the world market,” stated Feđa Begović, Director of the USAID Turizam Project.

WTM London is one of the key events in the global tourism industry calendar, bringing together 3,500 exhibitors from over 180 countries to exchange ideas, close deals, and learn about the latest trends and innovations in tourism. Participation in this event provides an opportunity to promote destinations, products, and services, as well as to build a network of contacts, learn from international tourism sector leaders, and establish strategic partnerships. WTM London sets the latest trends in the tourism sector, enabling participants to gain a competitive edge, keep pace with market demands, and adapt their offerings to global tourism needs. This event offers a unique opportunity to improve business, understand market trends, and position oneself on the global tourism scene.

“Participation in the World Travel Market in London was extremely valuable for me and my colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such events not only provide a platform for presenting what our beautiful country has to offer but also open numerous opportunities for learning, networking, and establishing business partnerships with colleagues from around the world. It is particularly significant that we, as representatives of BiH, appeared together under one stand, which was larger and better organized than ever before. Through this joint appearance, we managed to attract greater attention from visitors, media, and partners, which resulted in concrete business opportunities and will ultimately lead to an increase in the number of visitors and longer stays for tourists,” stated Damir Krupalija, Executive Director of the BH Passport travel agency.

This year's WTM was marked by discussions on the impact of technology on the future of tourism, including the ethics of artificial intelligence, smart tourism, and virtual reality. Within the framework of WTM, the 17th Ministerial Summit was also held under the title Transforming Tourism through Youth and Education. Joining distinguished speakers from around the world, representatives of the USAID Turizam project highlighted the impressive growth of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tourism sector in panels dedicated to young people starting their careers in the tourism sector and investing in developing tourism markets.