Tourists from Arab countries spend more money than any from Europe

The arrival of tourists from Arab countries in Sarajevo in recent months has caused numerous controversies. While some believe they are welcome, others are full of prejudice and are increasingly expressing negative attitudes, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

Guests from the Gulf countries are coming to Sarajevo, as well as to other BiH cities. Serbia and Croatia are equally interesting to them. 

According to official statistics, Arabs are not among the most numerous tourists visiting BiH because they often stay in private accommodation during their visits. On the other hand, these tourists stay from 15 days to three months and spend much more than tourists from other countries. This economic aspect is hardly discussed at all.

Given the climate and natural beauty in BiH, Arab tourists benefit from longer stays outdoors, so they most often spend their days visiting nearby mountains, picnic spots, nature, and everything they don't have in their country. One of the favorite destinations for guests from these countries is the area of the municipality of Ilidža, which has the highest concentration of hotels and catering facilities, as well as picnic spots like Stojčevac, Vrelo Bosne...

Precisely because of the Arabs, the mayor of Ilidža, Senaid Memić, has also come under fire from the media and the public. He told Patria that he fears the real background of negative stories about Arab tourists. He believes that we can already talk about open Islamophobia in the context of fear of terrorism.

- No one talks about how much they spend here, how much they pay at airports for extra luggage they bought in BiH – says Memić, adding that there is no place for a negative campaign against tourists from Arab countries, and their numbers are already decreasing at the end of summer with the arrival of autumn.

Incidentally, some time ago, a story emerged that doctors in Arab countries even recommend a change of climate for patients, considering the weather conditions in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, which primarily relate to high temperatures, lack of greenery, and dry air...

Who is buying land and real estate

On the other hand, another phenomenon is associated with the arrival of Arabs in BiH – the sale of land. In this case, a clear distinction should be made between those who come as tourists and those who use their stay to buy land and real estate.

Academician Esad Duraković also warned about this phenomenon, stating that the best Bosnian land, entire areas and settlements, are being sold. Investigations into certain suspicious purchases are already being conducted by SIPA, the Tax Administration, and the Service for Foreigners' Affairs...