On 25 September 2007, Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, head of Delegation of the European Commission to BiH, visited Banja Luka and signed the contract for a new tourism project in the company of Mr. Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister of RS.
The new project – Vrbas Adventure Resort – is funded through the RED (Regional Economic Development) Fund and is one of twelve contracts awarded following the fifth Call for Proposals.
The EC has awarded 297,000 Euro for this project, representing 90% of the total project value, with the remaining 10% co-funding provided by the City of Banja Luka. The project will be implemented by the Tourist Association of Banja Luka, “Exit Centre” and the Tourist Association of RS.
The project aims to develop sustainable and competitive adventure and eco tourism in the middle flow of the Vrbas river, based on white water and other extreme sports, accompanied by eco/ethno small-scale tourism offer. The following infrastructure will be established for this purpose:
- Night Rafting and Kayaking Infrastructure including rest point with emergency and safety equipment;
- Free climbing natural track equipping;
- Canyoning track, including signalization;
- Accessible emergency and safety banks (including cleaning of Svrakava valley and river banks);
- Mountaineering route to Zvecaj Fortress including rest points, signalization and info boards;
- Mountaineering route to Greben Fortress including rest points, signalization and info boards;
- Reconstructed Old Mills in Krupa including signalization and info board.
