Representatives of the Tourist Board of Travnik Municipality summarized the past winter season in Vlašić and presented plans and expectations for the upcoming summer season. They point out that they cannot influence weather conditions and the number of skiing days, but that they can improve facilities that would be attractive to tourists throughout the year. They see global uncertainty as an opportunity to increase the number of visitors.
Results of the winter season
Last year, tourists from more than 40 countries of the world visited tourist attractions in the area of Travnik municipality. Vlašić was also a traditional vacation spot, where even a small number of skiing days due to bad weather conditions did not prevent lovers of this mountain from enjoying it during the winter months.
Director of the Travnik Municipality Tourist Board, Samer Dolovac, pointed out the fluctuations during the season.
“There were big fluctuations, so there were very few ski days and of course that affects the decrease in arrivals and overnight stays, and thus tourist spending. On the other hand, a seven percent drop, honestly, I expected even bigger. This means that tourists and visitors come to Vlašić for different reasons and that it is not just about skiing,” said Dolovac.
Development of the tourist offer
And they need to be offered a richer non-boarding offer. Aware that nature and weather conditions cannot be influenced, they know here that tourism, which is among the three key strategic development goals of the Travnik Municipality, requires constant engagement and improvement of the tourist offer. And even in times that are completely uncertain – they see an opportunity.
Assistant Mayor in the Department for Development, Economy and Non-Economy of the Travnik Municipality Azem Ejubović emphasized the importance of promoting existing potential.
“Nature gave us what we have and we have something to show, people can enjoy here. However, we have to do everything from our side, especially through the municipal administration, to present it in the right way,” said Ejubović.
The President of the Assembly of the Tourist Board of Travnik Municipality, Anto Bilić, assessed that the Travnik destination has not yet been fully valorized.
“We are aware that the destination of Travnik is a story that has not yet been told enough, and in that direction opportunities are opening up for cooperation and the development of authentic products and services,” said Bilić.
Expectations for the summer
Despite the challenges, expectations for the upcoming summer season are optimistic. According to the Tourist Board, global trends could benefit domestic tourism.
“I see a great opportunity and my expectations are optimistic at the moment, because globally, everyone who has planned trips to risky destinations will look for safer options, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is a safe destination,” said Dolovac.
And for such tourists, in Travnik they try to make the tourist offer as visible and accessible as possible. Independently or in cooperation with the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Jajce under the motto “Vizier and Royal”, not only in the countries of the region but also beyond.
