„Bijela staza“ Opened: Tourism is One of the Fastest Growing Sectors of the Economy in BiH

In the Blidinje Nature Park today, the „Bijela staza“ (White Trail) was opened as part of the „Via Dinarica“ project, marking a major step towards further development of the platform for sustainable tourism development and local economic growth in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).  „Via Dinarica“ is a project implemented and financed since 2014 by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in BiH and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH, announced by UNDP, as reported by the Patria news agency.  

The goals of this initiative are the promotion of the Dinaric corridor and the reduction of economic, social and regional disparities in BiH, through the affirmation of Via Dinarica as a regional tourist destination and increasing competitiveness in the field of adventure and recreational tourism that promotes the natural heritage of BiH.

-The U.S. government believes that tourism is important as a driving force for strengthening the economy in BiH. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy in BiH and I firmly believe there is still room for growth in this area. Our goal is to establish the Via Dinarica corridor along three key trails – the white trail which goes along the mountain peaks, the green trail which goes through the central part, and the blue trail which goes along the sea coast – they will be tourist destinations owned by local communities, which these communities will manage and thereby ensure a sustainable source of income for a large number of interested parties, said Maureen Cormack, U.S. Ambassador to BiH.

-The opening of the „Bijela staza“ represents an important contribution to the development of the „Via Dinarica“ brand as an integrated tourism product that can contribute to human development and improving the quality of life for all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Sezin Sinanoglu, UNDP Resident Representative in BiH.

-The opening of the „Bijela staza“ and the „Via Dinarica“ initiative represents a chance to present Bosnia and Herzegovina in a positive light because tourism is one of the successful examples that can showcase our country both regionally and internationally, especially in the field of foreign trade and economic relations, said Mate Franjičević, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH.

By symbolically tying a mountaineering rope, Ambassador Cormack and Sinanoglu, and Deputy Minister Franjičević opened the „Bijela staza“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the main motif of „Via Dinarica“ about the „natural connection“ of people, natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Via Dinarica represents a platform for sustainable tourism development and local economic growth in the seven countries through which the Dinaric Alps mountain range extends, from Slovenia in the north to Serbia, Kosovo and Albania in the south.

The heart of this „mega trail“, similar to the Via Alpina trails in the Alps and the Appalachian Trail, is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro.  The project's goal is the establishment of the Via Dinarica corridor, with three main trails – white, green and blue. The White Trail, which was opened today, represents the main trail that extends the entire length of Via Dinarica, follows the natural course of the highest peaks of the Dinarides and includes all the highest peaks in each of the seven countries.