Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a fast growing sector in Bosnia-Herzegovina making up an important part in the economy of the country. The tourist business environment is constantly developing with an increasingly active tourism promotional system.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a top performer in recent years in terms of tourism development; tourist arrivals have grown by an average of 24% annually from 1995 to 2000. The European region’s solid growth in arrivals in 2007 was due in significant part to Southern and Mediterranean Europe’s strong performance (+7%). In particular, Bosnia and Herzegovina were among the stronger players with a growth of 20%.

In 2012 Bosnia-Herzegovina had 747.827 tourists an increase of 9% and 1.645.521 overnight stays which is an 9,4% increase from 2012. 58,6% of the tourists came from foreign countries.

According to an estimate of the World Tourism Organization, Bosnia and Herzegovina will have the third highest tourism growth rate in the world between 1995 and 2020.

The major sending countries in 2012 have been Croatia (16,2%), Serbia (13,1%), Poland (8,1%), Slovenia (7,4%), Italy (6,5%) and Turkey (6%).

The travel guide series, Lonely Planet, has named Sarajevo as the 43rd best city in the world, and in December 2009 listed Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010.

With its #43 spot Sarajevo has come ahead of Dubrovnik, #59, Ljubljana at #84, Bled at #90, Zagreb at #125 and Belgrade at #143, making Sarajevo the best ranking city on the Balkan peninsula behind Athens, Greece.

Tourism in Sarajevo is chiefly focused on historical, religious, and cultural aspects. Recent years investments has made it a popular shopping city as well, with a respectable offer in retail shopping. (see also: Sites of interest in Sarajevo, List of shopping malls in Sarajevo)

Sarajevo, the national capital, hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, which, at the time, were the largest Winter Games ever (in terms of athletes and media).

The country is regaining its reputation as an excellent ski destination with its olympic mountains such as Bjelasnica, Igman and Jahorina.