Thousands flock to Tuzla's Pannonian Lakes during the hottest summer days

Thousands have gathered at the salt lakes on Monday, which was declared the hottest day of the summer, and the director of Panonica complex, Maid Porobic, told the Fena news agency that management expects a very successful tourist season this year.

“230 thousand tickets have already been sold, and more than 300 thousand guests visited Panonika,” he said.

According to data by the tourist agency of Tuzla, more than 20 percent of visitors to the Pannonian Lakes come from Croatia, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.

Hazim Malikic, who lives in Austria, told the Fena news agency that the Pannonian Lakes are unique.

"Tuzla has already become a tourist destination,” he said, adding that he plans on returning to Bosnia as the economic situation seems to be getting better there.

“I frequently travel and visit other world destinations as well, but I have to say that this is beautiful. I would love for this to develop further,” he said.

Malikic said that “there are a lot of bad stories about Bosnia” circulating in Austria, such as that it is a country with a weak economy.

“We don’t care about the bad stories because we know that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a beautiful country,” he said.

Senaid Vokic left his hometown Kalesija back in the 1980’s for Austria, but he visits Tuzla each year.

“Although we paid for a trip to Budva (Montenegro), now I consider staying here. It is beautiful here and I am increasingly considering returning for good,” he said.