At the leading global event “Green Destinations Top 100 Stories” held last week in Tallinn (Estonia), five destinations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, within the framework of the EU4Business Recovery project, co-financed by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, entered the Top 100 best destinations working on sustainable tourism development.
In addition to individual destinations from Japan, Peru, Slovenia, Italy, Serbia, Estonia, the United States, Croatia and Portugal, Bosanka Krupa, Konjic, Trebinje, Skakavac Sarajevo Nature Monument, and Šamac have been selected for the “Green Destinations TOP 100 Stories” in the world for the year 2023.
The ninth edition of the event in Tallinn created an inspiring collection of best practice stories of sustainable destinations from around the world. During the award ceremony, it was emphasized that these best practices will be shared with managers, tour operators, and visitors worldwide to facilitate the exchange of knowledge in the tourism sector. Destination management organizations that have entered the Top 100 in the world can serve as examples to others in demonstrating how they have found solutions to the challenges and issues of sustainable tourism.
During the conference, it was emphasized that the tourism sector has faced very challenging times in recent years, and their resilience and hard work are something we should all be proud of. All selected destinations were evaluated according to the criteria of the Green Destinations Standard, such as quality, sustainability, level of innovation in their stories, and best practices.
This year, there were a total of 165 submissions. The submissions were evaluated by the Top 100 evaluation team, experts, partners, and coordinators from Green Destinations. Bosnian-Herzegovinian destinations won in the following categories:
- Konjic, Destination Management: 2023 Konjic_Green Destination Story_.docx
- Trebinje, Destination Management: 2023-GPS-City-of-Trebinje.pdf (greendestinations.org)
- Skakavac Nature Monument, Nature and Environment: 2023_Good practice story_MoN Skakavac.docx (greendestinations.org)
- Tišina Šamac Protected Area, Destination Management: 2023_-_GPS_Word_Template_vxg7ip Protected habitat Tisina.docx (greendestinations.org)
- Bosanska Krupa, Advanced Community: 2023_-_GPS_Word_Template_vxg7ip Protected habitat Tisina.docx (greendestinations.org)
Project partners of the EU4BusinessRecovery project, experts from the company Green Visions Ecotours, who organize and promote successful destinations in the Western Balkans, were tasked with preparing destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the green certification process.
Thierry Joubert, executive partner at Green Visions Ecotours, states that in 2023, destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina have successfully met the first 15 criteria for the Green Destinations Standard and that in the coming year, they will fulfil the criteria for an additional 15 out of total of 84. Each of them will create an action plan for implementing these new 15 criteria in their destinations.
“The confirmation that Bosnian and Herzegovinian destinations have fulfilled 60% of the first 15 criteria and have written and shared sustainable tourism stories has led to these destinations being selected by Green Destinations for the Top 100 awards. This means that the destination is on the right path in terms of organization and meeting all 84 criteria in Green Destinations, strengthening the skills and understanding of sustainable tourism”, said Joubert, adding that the entry of these destinations into the top 100 in the world is a significant success for tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Recognizing the increasing demand for green tourism, sustainability, and the trend of tourists turning to environmentally friendly destinations, Bosnia and Herzegovina, within the framework of the EU4Business Recovery project, co-financed by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, is opening the way to a new chapter in the development of green destinations in tourism.
Danija Krieg, Project Manager of EU4BusinessRecovery states that sustainability is the key for tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as everywhere in the world, and that countries like Estonia, which are similar in size and touristic offers to Bosnia and Herzegovina, can serve as an inspiration and a source of “know-how”.
“The tourism sector should value the wealth of nature that Bosnia and Herzegovina already offers and work together to create sustainable products, which involves development of interesting tourist offers and stories that connect our history and tradition with the natural resources that would intrigue tourists even more towards our destinations. And we indeed have a lot to offer. Only through joint efforts, networking, and combining offerings and stories can we ensure a form of sustainable future for our country”, believes Krieg.
The Green Destinations Top 100 Stories is an annual competition organized by Green Destinations. The competition is held under the patronage of the Top 100 Partnership, supported by the Future of Tourism Coalition, with special contributions from Green Destinations, ITB Berlin, QualityCoast, Good Tourism Guide, Travelife, Ecotourism Australia, and DEL Turismo, in addition to sponsorship from Acorn Tourism for fee waiver Consulting and Simpleview.
Photo: DOK, Dzenan Kismetovic
