On 30 May 2007, members of the Delegation of the European Commission to BiH, journalists, tour operators and other guests boarded the “Water Ciro” – a tourism-development project funded by the European Union – to cruise on the Lim and Drina rivers.

The excursion boat follows the route of the old Austro-Hungarian narrow-gauge railway, know as the “Ciro”, part of which was subsequently flooded when the river Drina was dammed. The old train played an important role in the development of Eastern Bosnia and is fondly remembered in the region.

The “Water Ciro” project aims for an integral approach to the development of tourism in the Upper Drina region. The concept of the “Water Ciro” was developed by the Rudo-based NGO “Luna” and implemented by the municipality of Rudo. The boat itself was built and assembled in Gorazde and Gorazde municipality is a partner in the project. Eight municipalities in the region will benefit from this new addition to the tourist offer.

The European Union provided 167,000 Euro, out of a total project budget of 273,000 Euro, for the construction of the boat and six landing docks along a fifty kilometre water route.

Mr. Kjartan Bjornsson, Head of Section for Economic Development and Natural Resources of the Delegation of the European Commission to BiH, stated that the tourism-development projects funded to date have exceeded expectations and proven to be extremely good value for money. He added that the new project is a great way to see and promote the natural beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He expressed hope that the project will link up, formally or informally, with other tourist services, so as to offer complete packages to potential visitors. The nascent tourism industry is beginning to take off, but to take full advantage of its potential, service-providers and tourist attractions must work together to attract domestic and foreign tourists.