Hoteliers in Neum are satisfied with the occupancy of their accommodation capacities in the peak season, and they point out that they expect good results to be achieved in September and October as well.
“In the middle of July, everything started and so far the capacities are quite well filled, after which we can say that the season was quite successful,” said the vice president of the Association of Neum Hoteliers, Davor Krešić, in an interview for Fena.
The largest number of guests come from EU countries, and the return of tourists from the Far East is also noted.
“As for hotel guests, they are mainly foreign guests in the pre-season and post-season, mainly from France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, almost all EU countries. Asian markets are waking up to us again, those guests are slowly coming in slightly larger numbers, which is a good thing for the winter period, and as for the peak season, there is a large influx of guests from the domestic market and the diaspora,” said Krešić.
It was feared that the opening of the Pelješki bridge would be disastrous for Neum tourism, which turned out to be incorrect. However, the problem of crossing the border is still present.
“One of the problems is the stricter border crossing regime since the Republic of Croatia entered Schengen. In June, we had a meeting at the highest level between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, where it was agreed that it would be easier for guests to cross the border. It’s time for group visits so we’ll see if that meeting eases the flow of people. In the preseason, we definitely had a problem with the slow crossing of the border when it comes to organized groups,” said Krešić.
Speaking about the future of tourism in the only BiH city by the sea, he said that work must be done on the branding of Neum and on the extension of the season.
“All the activities we undertake should be extended, so that they do not end at the beginning of September, but last through October and beyond, so that we have something to offer our guests during that period as well. For us hoteliers, September and October are still the peak season, not with the same intensity as in the previous two months, but the capacities are at 80 or 90 percent occupancy,” he added.
According to his estimation, hotels in Neum generate about 60 percent of total revenue in the seventh and eighth months.
“However, we must know that here we have conference tourism in April, May and October when we do not have so many individuals and there is a great demand for hotels, so these events and that conference tourism are very important for business,” concluded the vice president of the Association of Hoteliers Neum Davor Krešić .
