A Technical Assistance project to Support the Tourism Industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina was officially launched in Sarajevo on Tuesday . The project is financed by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) in the amount of 1.9 million Euro, and is being implemented by GDSI Ltd., a company from Ireland.
The project, which is scheduled to be completed in February 2013, is intended to strengthen capabilities of BiH tourism support structures at the state, Entities and District levels in order to address the challenges faced by a growing tourism industry. The project has four components and the results to be achieved under each are: sustainable tourism policy and a harmonized strategic framework; development of short and long-term plans for strengthening the institutional and legal framework for sustainable tourism; development of a sustainable tourism marketing strategy and action plan; development of a human resources strategy and implementation of tourism training projects.
Head of Operations Section for Economic Development, Natural Resources and Infrastructure at the EU Delegation to BiH Johann Hesse stressed that tourism is more than simply promotion of a country. Tourism growth makes it possible to raise fiscal revenue, increase public spending and boost GDP.
Hesse noted that the EU has adopted a Framework for the Development of Tourism and has set priorities designed to stimulate competitiveness in the EU tourism industry, as well as to promote sustainable tourism development and service quality, enhance Europe’s image as a tourist destination and encourage financial institutions to support tourism development.
“These EU priorities can be applied here too,“ Hesse said, noting that Bosnia and Herzegovina has to focus on making its tourism sector more competitive, while ensuring sustainable development and environmental protection.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of boundless natural beauty but this resource has to be preserved – and among other things that means that beauty spots cannot be simultaneously used for garbage disposal,“ he said.
Hesse also pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina has to alter its international image. “If you “google” Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first link that appears is the war,” he said, stressing that instead of the past conflict, “positive trends and events should be emphasized, researched and promoted – the things that people will love about this country, for example its culture and history.“
While the EU is providing funds, this project is very much of and for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hesse said.
Assistant BiH Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Reuf Hadžibegić said tourism currently accounts for 2.8 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s GDP and about 2.3 percent of jobs. Although the indirect impact of tourism is larger than these figures suggest, there is clearly scope for significant growth, he said, adding that one job created in the tourism sector means another 1.5 new jobs in related sectors. Hadžibegić said he hoped the project would help to create conditions under which Bosnia and Herzegovina can begin to develop the massive economic and social potential of its tourism resources.
