Protecting Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nurturing Sustainable Tourism Amidst Challenges.
It’s nearly May and we have started to accept bookings for our holiday apartment here in the village, which we rent out in order to do our part in attracting guests (tourists and visitors), to experience this amazing country where I live.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a hidden gem in the heart of the Balkans, which without a doubt boasts a rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality.
As tourism begins to flourish, it’s really important to strike a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.
In this post, I just want to highlight some challenges faced by Bosnia and Herzegovina as it navigates the path toward sustainable tourism.
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Environmental Impact
BiH’s pristine natural beauty is not only a blessing abut a significant challenge. As more visitors discover this much misunderstood country, they add strain to delicate ecosystems, leading to soil erosion, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Tourists flock to picturesque spots like the Kravice Waterfalls and Vjetrenica Caves, BiH needs to encourage responsible tourist and visitor behaviour, and promote eco-friendly practices such as waste reduction, responsible hiking, and wildlife observation.
Small Towns and Villages
While Sarajevo and Mostar still steal the spotlight, (there’s so so much more to see than these two locations), BiH’s small towns and villages remain off the beaten path. These charming locations lack the infrastructure to handle large tourist crowds. Overdevelopment to accommodate these crowds will alter their character and disrupt local life. Travellers can really support these communities by respecting their traditions, minimising their impact, and seeking authentic experiences.
Wildlife Conservation
BiH is home to diverse wildlife, including brown bears, lynxes ( we have these starting to appear here in the north of the country), and rare bird species. Increased tourist activity threatens their habitats. Responsible tourism involves staying on marked trails, avoiding disturbing wildlife, and supporting conservation efforts.
Untouched Nature Spots
The hidden valleys, stunning serene lakes, and ancient forests, BiH’s untouched nature spots, are fragile treasures. Unregulated tourism can lead to deforestation, littering, and degradation. There is now a positive move to limit access to sensitive areas, and educate visitors about their impact in these areas.
The last “jungle” in Europe is in BiH. For years tourists have explored, but some have left huge amounts of trash and even put graffiti on the trees and rocks! WTF!
Please don’t behave like that.
Remember, “Every Footprint Matters.
I was stimulated to distribute this post today, after reading an Instagram post from my good friend Kathi, who lives is Sarajevo, and is active in the Tourism space here in the country.
In case you’re not an “Insta Person”, I have included her images below as well as the text of her IG post.
I’ve got mixed emotions about sharing all the places I discovered in Bosnia and Herzegovina publicly on the internet.
On one hand, I am hoping that it will help people discover what a stunning, wild, and beautiful place this is. I want people to visit, to leave with less prejudice and unforgettable memories and I want them to tell their friends that this country is safe and worth visiting.
On the other hand, though, more visitors mean more challenges in a country where tourism is still developing🙈 Challenges for the environment, for our small towns and villages that are not made for a big influx of visitors, for our wildlife and for the untouched nature spots that are at the threat of being harmed, polluted, maybe even destroyed. In addition to that, rules and regulations for tourism are still not widely in place here, environmental protection in the early stages.
It seems that this summer will become one of the busiest, Bosnia and Herzegovina has ever experienced. So I would love to remind you, ask of you, to take care of the world around you ☀️🌿 Leave our nature, our wild places as you found them. Take beautiful memories and your trash with you. Adhere to the rules and support local businesses and communities if and whenever you can. It helps you connect with the country and it helps locals to make a living by protecting their natural treasures. It’s a win for everyone 🧡
🇧🇦 If you are planning to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina this year, and especially popular destinations like Sarajevo, Mostar, or Kravica, be mindful and respectful of the people call the touristic places, like Stari Grad in Mostar their home and still live there. Always think about your impact and how you can leave a positive one.
If you can, you might even choose the shoulder season – September and October are stunning times to visit our small country, and might have just become my favourite months in the three years I am living here 🍂🍁
But above all things: Be kind and enjoy the small moments that make this place truly special. Have a wonderful time! Hvala od srce 🫶🏻 - Kathi Numić
A Thought
As BiH emerges more and more as a tourist destination, please explore mindfully, “leave no trace”, and champion sustainable practices.
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THANKS SO MUCH ❤️