Year after year, investments in the Sarajevo Film Festival are growing. The pre-festival screening will be held on Thursday, while the official program starts on Friday. August is already traditionally a month of major events and high visitor interest, and July was record-breaking as well.
Tourist Season on the Rise
The summer season breaks tourism records. It is a result of strategic investments and the organization of numerous events. The number of overnight stays has increased compared to last year’s record.
“Accommodations are in high demand, and we are glad that the visitors from the Western Hemisphere, that is, guests from those countries, are the most interested in the SFF, and of course, those countries that were shortlisted in the running for SFF awards. When tourists visit us, for example from the Middle East or the Gulf countries, they are not as interested in the SFF, which is a good thing for Sarajevo from a tourism standpoint, as the city has such a broad offer that brings people from different countries,” Haris Fazlagić said, President of the Tourism Association of Sarajevo Canton.
The range of visitors is broad as well, from Australians to those from the other side of the Atlantic. It is no secret that those arriving from, as some say, a technological giant – Japan, visit Sarajevo. This time, a famous TikToker from Japan, Yuji Beleza, visited Sarajevo.
Sarajevo through Tourists’ Lenses
“In Japan I heard a lot about Bosnia, Sarajevo and their history, so I came to see the reality of Sarajevo and experience it in the right way. I felt that Sarajevo is a very multi-cultural city and it was really nice to see that people of different origin live together,” Beleza said.
He visited and explored Sarajevo, sharing the experience with his multi-million audience. However, for Beleza, Sarajevo, as he said, powerfully defies the virtual world.
“Sarajevo is like a hidden gem, like Machu Picchu. This city has a soul, and few others do. That is what I like – that I was able to feel its soul,” Beleza emphasized.
Part of his experience was a meeting with Bosnian and Herzegovinian footballer Tarik Hodžić.
“A beautiful encounter; you could tell he is a wonderful man. I think we talked about how this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I had an opportunity to visit many countries and continents; I was in Brazil, Rome, I’ve been everywhere, but our city is the most beautiful in the world to me,” Hodžić emphasized.
Guests from Across the World
And perhaps that is precisely what attracts tourists to Sarajevo, even those coming from major global tourism hubs.
Those who visit Sarajevo often highlight the atmosphere, multiculturalism, nature, and hospitality as why they keep returning to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I come from France, Paris. I like these mountains. I feel a connection to this city. This city has truly moved me,” said one female tourist.
“I am from the Netherlands. I like these mountains. I like that wherever I look, I see something special, something we don’t have in the Netherlands,” noted a tourist from the Netherlands.
“People are very kind. We’re staying next to the man who helped us park a car, as the streets are very narrow,” shared another female tourist.
“I am from Italy. This is my second time here. It is beautiful, multicultural, and I truly feel welcome here,” said a tourist from Italy.
SFF as the Crown of the Tourism Season
An indispensable part of tourism in Sarajevo is the crown of the season – Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), which continues to push boundaries this year as well.
“At the start of the online ticket presales, we have recorded a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year, which was also record-breaking. We see that interest is huge, and that is what gives meaning to everything we do – our audience,” said Andrijana Copf, PR Manager for the SFF.
With greater interest come great investments in the tourism sector, something tourism professionals emphasize Sarajevo truly deserves. This is supported by the Tourism Association of Sarajevo Canton, which helped create the conditions for a direct flight between Sarajevo and the United States.
For now and in the future, Sarajevo remains a place many remember for its unique atmosphere and spirit, and where tourists continually return.
