More than 20 years after the war in BiH, tourists who visit Sarajevo are interested the most in war history – the longest siege in modern history.
“In recent years, about 90 % of tourists were interested in war history although it was not highlighted in promotional brochures,” as stated from the Tourism Association of the Canton Sarajevo.
A spokeswoman of this institution, Asja Hadziefendic-Mesic, explained that today’s tourists are contemporaries of these events.
“What makes world history to remember Sarajevo is not what makes contemporaries to remember this city. They do not remember the Olympics. The World War I is also far. The siege of Sarajevo is what is interesting for them,” explained Hadziefendic – Mesic.
Sarajevo Tunnel was visited by around 120,000 tourists last year. Besides Bascarsija, Tunnel is the most visited destination in the city.
“In the summer, we take about 30 tourists a day on a war tour. Besides the Tunnel, which everyone want to see and go through Sniper Alley, we take tourists at Kosevo Stadium as well, since it is interesting to them because of the Olympics, but it is also creepy as the auxiliary stadium was used as a cemetery during the war,” said Emina Ligata from one of the tourist agencies in Sarajevo.
Agencies also included a visit to the Markale market, where 111 people were killed and more than 200 were wounded, in their offer. Tourists also visit the Museum of Alija Izetbegovic, the first president of BiH, as well as a gallery that is dedicated to the victims of Srebrenica genocide.
“In recent years, tourists are also interested in Trebevic, in relation to war theme for the view on Sarajevo and its position, as well as for war mosque on Igman,” said Hadziefendic – Mesic.
One of these war tours costs about 50 BAM per person.
Visits to Sarajevo are, when it comes to foreign tourists, constantly increasing. According to Tourism Association of the Canton Sarajevo, a total of 359,523 tourists from Turkey, South Korea, Germany, Austria, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the region visited this area in 2015.
(Source: Radiosarajevo.ba)
