The past two pandemic years have significantly affected the tourist results of Neum, and the mayor of the only city on the sea in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Dragan Jurkovic believes that calming the epidemiological situation will have a positive effect on this year’s summer season.
”We had a fortune in misfortune because we were open all that time, so our capacities were full. It was not close to the past seasons, but the most important thing is that jobs have been kept and that we as a local community are satisfied,” noted Jurkovicin an interview for agency Fena.
”What we are currently doing and what we plan to do by the beginning of the tourist season is the construction of a swimming pool, which has been expected in Neum for many years, and that is one of our main projects. We have also signed a contract for the construction of houses on the promenade, which will be of an exhibition and sales nature, all for the purpose of arranging the promenade, which is the most frequent during the summer months, ” explained Jurkovic.
Extension of the season
Neum has been a frequent location for various negotiations, summits, and conferences in recent months, and “congress tourism” is one of the main assets of Neum’s tourism workers who are trying to extend the tourist season from the current 90 to 150 or even 200 days.
”In recent months, we have witnessed various negotiations and conferences here. According to the announcements, we expect a very good season related to congress tourism. All these events certainly show a positive story and I think it helps us in branding Neum, which has been my main goal since taking office,” said the mayor.
The completion of works on the Stolac – Neum road has been announced for this summer, which will connect Neum with the rest of the country and significantly shorten travel time.
Peljesac Bridge
”On the bright side, the Peljesac Bridge will relieve the traffic collapse in the peak season. Our residents and guests are witnesses that in the summer months you can’t function properly, you can’t move from one side of the city to the other because traffic jams are frequent. The negative consequence is that many facilities connected to the Adriatic highway will be in some minus and will not have traffic as before, ” told Jurkovic.
Apparently, the mayor added, Neum will not lose guests because of the Peljesac Bridge, because those who want will continue tocome, and for those for whom Neum is a transit point, it will continue to be so.
E.Dz.
Source: BHRT