HOTEL AND RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Hadžić for NAP: When this is over, we need to preserve workers and employers

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The work of the hotel and general hospitality sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently at zero percent. 

From the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs, in an interview with the Patria agency, they say they are aware of the situation. 

“Due to the orders that came into effect at 6 a.m. this morning, not only hotels but also other catering facilities have been closed. Health is paramount, and we fully understand the decision. We hope that this will suppress and stop the coronavirus,” says Amir Hadžić, president of the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs of BiH, for Patria. 

Hadžić states that there is no room for panic and appeals for such an approach to all problems. 

“We first need to overcome this situation, and then see what and how to proceed,” our interlocutor believes.

When asked what will happen once the coronavirus is stopped, he replies that it will be necessary to overcome the situation caused by the virus and find solutions to get the hospitality sector back on its feet. 

“After all this is over, and we hope it will pass quickly, we will need to preserve jobs in hospitality, but also help employers so they don't end up out in the cold,” Hadžić states. 

Hadžić assumes that after the end of the state of natural disaster in the Federation of BiH and the state of emergency in the Republika Srpska, it will take at least two to three months for people to start traveling to BiH.

“In my opinion, it will take at least two to three years for things to return to the state before the epidemic. We need to convince guests that there is no longer a coronavirus in hotels and in our area. It will be a difficult job, but there is no need to panic,” emphasizes the president of the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs of BiH. 

He notes that tourism is a luxury and that tourists do not want to expose themselves to risk. 

“When you travel somewhere, you want to see something new, enjoy yourself, not expose yourself to risk,” adds Hadžić. 

He reminds that the hospitality sector has had stable growth of 18 to 20 percent in recent years, and that great effort will be needed to return to that level.