According to preliminary statistical data from the Sarajevo Canton Tourist Board, in the period from August 14 to 23 – including the day before and the day after the 31st edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival – Sarajevo recorded 41,980 guests, which represents an increase of 5.5 percent compared to 2024, or 22.9 percent compared to 2023.
The total number of overnight stays was 86,655, which is four percent more than last year and 12.8 percent more compared to 2023.
In addition to those from Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the mentioned period there were the most guests from Croatia, Serbia, Great Britain, Montenegro, Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden and Turkey.
”We emphasize that the above data does not include the complete number of visitors, because a large number of guests from the diaspora were accommodated with family and friends or in their own apartments, and were not officially recorded. Also, high utilization of accommodation capacities in larger facilities, namely hotels, was recorded, with 97 percent occupancy, as shown by reservations before the start of the Festival,” said Haris Fazlagić, President of the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton.
He pointed out that the increased number of flights to Sarajevo, as well as better air connectivity, contributed to a greater number of tourists from different parts of the world, and the increase in visitors from the countries of the region was particularly noticeable.
”Many citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the one-day events, which further increased the total attendance. This year, the Sarajevo Film Festival confirmed its importance not only as a cultural, but also as a strong tourist event, which contributes to the growth and promotion of the Sarajevo destination year after year. We expect final data on tourist traffic in early September, Fazlagić emphasized,” the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton announced.
