The European Union funded project “VRBAS, Joint tourism development of the Vrbas valley” was officially completed after almost three years of successful implementation, at a ceremony in Bugojno held on Thursday. The European Union provided 272,095 €, equal to 85 percent of the total project funding, while rest of the funds were provided by Bugojno Municipality and partners’ organizations.

The Upper Vrbas Valley has great tourism potential which could attract visitors not only from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, but from all over the world. A situation analyse and extensive study of the development of new tourism products was carried out under the project, as well as business and marketing strategy for further development of the tourism in the Upper Vrbas region. During the implementation period, 46 tour guides were trained and 12 were officially certified by the FBiH Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

The project also provided training in rural development for 18 trainees. In addition, six rest stops were constructed as well information boards with tourist destination maps of the region. Five information boards were also placed on entrances and exits of  the region, while 30 of the most important  cultural, historical and natural heritage sites were marked with relevant information boards. A visual identity of the region as a unique tourist product was created, together with a multilingual internet portal.

For the Municipalities Bugojno, Donji Vakuf and Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje and their citizens, as well as for partner institutions, Tourist Board of the Central Bosnia Canton and the Institute for Urban Planning, Spatial Planning and the Protection of Cultural-Historical Heritage, implementation of this project represented a big challenge, but also an opportunity to acquire new resources and skills and create the preconditions for new jobs, including employment opportunities for women and young people.

Johann Hesse, Head of the EU Delegation’s Operations Section for Economic Development, Natural Resources and Infrastructure, said the project had been a success and he also noted that tourism is the world’s largest industry and largest source of new employment.

“The tourism sector in the EU employs a very large number of young people”, he said and added  “There is a positive trend in this industry and in recent years it has generated an increasing level of income and new employment opportunities.”

Bugojno Mayor Hasan Ajkunić expressed his thanks to the EU on the successful completion of the project. ““Tourism is the only option for this region..,” he said.  “…Without the support of the EU this project would not have been possible.”