Šaljić for NAP: Chaos in Sarajevo Canton Tourism - Undeclared Work, False History, and a Law Weakening Expertise

(Patria) - The Association of Tourist Guides of Sarajevo Canton (KS) "Vučko" sent a letter to the KS Assembly expressing dissatisfaction with the new Tourism Law, which has passed the Draft procedure and is to be presented to the Assembly as a proposal.

In their letter, the Association points out numerous problems they encounter on the ground - from guides from the region and surrounding countries working illegally without a license to high expenses - taxes to the state, which treats tourist guides in KS as equal to lawyers and notaries because they are not given the option of supplementary employment.

Regarding unlicensed guides from the region who work illegally and impose themselves on tourist groups, they accept jobs for city tours and introductions for very small amounts because they are not registered in any records, and they do not pay any taxes to the city and the state.

They avoid taking tourists to visit museums and important institutions that rely on ticket sales, which are not expensive anyway, because they fear encountering licensed guides.

In addition to taking jobs, they are not obligated to present Sarajevo's locations and sights accurately and truthfully. They intentionally omit visits to Igman and Bjelašnica, and exclusively take tourists to Jahorina.

It is particularly problematic, as stated in an interview for the News Agency Patria (NAP) by KS Assembly representative Jasmin Šaljić (SBiH), that besides knowing a language, they lack adequate knowledge of historical facts, or their knowledge is distorted and incorrect.

- This is particularly evident regarding the brutal murder of Emperor Ferdinand and his wife, as well as pointing out marked locations where civilians were killed by shelling and the defense lines during the siege.

Often, this is in complete contradiction, especially everything related to the period of aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina. And this is what interests tourists the most - emphasizes Šaljić.

He stresses that the proposed tourism law in its current form exclusively harms the Tourist Board, weakens its role, and long-term jeopardizes the interests of those who finance it and carry it on their shoulders.

- The fact that this law reduces the powers of the Tourist Board, diminishes the influence of the economy in decision-making bodies, and undermines the fundamental principle that those who finance should also manage - namely, entrepreneurs, economic entities, agencies, employers, restaurateurs - the private sector - is particularly concerning, states Šaljić.

He considers the proposal to reduce the Tourist Council from the current seven to three members scandalous, whereas until now, most members were from the economy. The new solution of three members provides for two from the Government and only one from the economy, which bears everything.

- It is unacceptable for employers to support such a solution because they have almost no role in the system they themselves finance. This is not strengthening but weakening the Tourist Board, which will become an administrative formality without a real connection to practice and the situation on the ground - explains Šaljić.

The Association calls for the establishment of a register of tourist guides of KS within the Ministry of Economy - Directorate for Tourism - to register specifically guides whose primary activity is registered and those who have supplementary activity, as well as all employees in tourist agencies, because without a register, there is no order, security, or fair supervision.

"A special problem are the penalty provisions that exclusively apply to registered guides who are in the system, while the authorities have no adequate systemic solution for undeclared work.

Because they have left us, the licensed guides, to identify this problem and phenomenon, protect the interests of the state and the city, call the inspection, report it, and embarrass ourselves and argue in front of tourists," stated the Association of Tourist Guides of KS.

(D.K.)