Halilovic: BiH is missing opportunities by failing to keep tourists longer

Halilovic told N1 that tourist arrivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been rising steadily in recent years, but the country's tourism growth has been driven largely by private businesses rather than a coordinated national strategy.

He said Bosnia lacks a state-level tourism ministry capable of coordinating policies across different levels of government.

"Everyone praises tourism as one of the country's most important industries, yet Bosnia and Herzegovina still has no state ministry dedicated to it," he said, arguing that existing tourism strategies are often outdated and fail to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.

He noted that BiH's tourism sector has traditionally relied on visitors from the Gulf region, as well as markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and China. However, changes in airline routes and travel patterns require a much more flexible approach than long-term strategies currently allow.

Halilovic believes BiH cannot compete directly with neighbouring Croatia or Italy as a seaside destination but can capitalise on travellers passing through the region.

"More tourists are combining different destinations during one trip. Our goal should be to keep them in Bosnia and Herzegovina one or two days longer by offering more than historical landmarks, including gastronomy and competitive prices," he said.

Among the biggest obstacles, Halilovic singled out chronic traffic congestion, particularly around the town of Konjic on the main road linking Sarajevo and Mostar. He recalled a recent case in which a group of tourists abandoned plans to visit Mostar and the Kravica waterfalls after navigation apps estimated a four-hour journey due to traffic delays.

He also identified littering as one of the country's biggest image problems and called for greater investment in vocational education for hospitality workers through dual education programmes that combine classroom learning with practical training.

Halilovic further warned that unregistered accommodation and last-minute booking cancellations, particularly during major events, damage Bosnia's reputation among international visitors. He urged stronger inspections of properties advertised on online booking platforms.

Looking ahead, he said BiH should expand congress and sports tourism to extend the tourist season beyond the summer months and continue promoting itself as a destination capable of hosting major international events.