In an effort to attract tourists amid the coronavirus pandemic and save the winter tourist season, hotels on mount Jahorina, near Sarajevo, are offering foreign visitors free PCR tests so they can present them when they return to their countries.

After a poor season so far, the tourism industry is hoping for an increase in visits during the forthcoming holidays and the Jahorina ski resort is doing its best to motivate tourists from the region to come back.

“Unfortunately, Serbia introduced a new measure which forces its citizens to be tested upon return but we calculated with that and prepared packages for the guests who need testing. If they stay five or more days, the hotel pays for the test,” said Nemanja Vucetic, the manager of hotel Termag.

Arrangements were made for medical crews to do the PCR testing on the spot so tourists would not waste time.

The ski resort organized an outdoor New Years Eve party without live music but with night time skiing from 10pm until 2 am.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry of Bosnia's Federation (FBiH) entity asked the government to condition entry into the country with a negative PCR test.

“New measures would not suit us. At Jahorina we are respecting all current measures. At least regarding the ski tracks, we believe the guests are safe since all measures are being respected there,” said Igor Tosic from the East Sarajevo Tourist Organization, which announced that most of the hotels and private accommodations will be full for New Years.

However, experts have pointed out how dangerous private parties can be.

“We are calling upon all citizens who are seeking to organize illegal private parties with more people for New Years not to do that,” said Branislav Zeljkovic, the head of the institution in charge of public health in Bosnia's Republika Srpska (RS) entity.

Authorities have so far not introduced stricter anti-epidemic measures during the holidays but are not excluding this possibility.