PUHOVAC: WE EXPECT SUCCESSFUL SUMMER TOURIST SEASON

BANJA LUKA, JULY 12 /SRNA/ – Based on initial indicators and visitor interest, Republika Srpska is expected to have a very successful summer tourist season, Republika Srpska's Minister of Trade and Tourism, Ned Puhovac, said in a statement to SRNA.

He said it is particularly encouraging that Jahorina has recorded steady growth in the number of visitors during the summer season for several years, thanks to the continuous development of new attractions. This, he noted, confirms that the country's mountains are increasingly becoming year-round tourist destinations.

Puhovac pointed out that a rich calendar of cultural, sporting and entertainment events is also attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitors.

"From the traditional 'Summer on the Vrbas' festival in Banja Luka, to the OK Fest at Tjentište, which brings together thousands of visitors from across the region in mid-July, to the Drina Adventure event and the well-known rafting on the Tara and Drina rivers in Foča, Republika Srpska is once again offering a diverse and high-quality tourism program this year," Puhovac said.

He noted that the positive expectations for the summer season build on the excellent statistical results from the first part of the year, as well as the implementation of the Central Information System for the Hospitality Industry.

He reminded that the system has enabled electronic real-time registration of guests, improved oversight of accommodation capacities, more effective efforts to combat the informal economy, and strengthened fiscal discipline in the tourism sector.

According to data from the Republika Srpska Institute of Statistics, tourist arrivals increased by nearly 5 percent during the first five months of this year, while overnight stays rose by 8 percent.

"We are especially encouraged by the increase in overnight stays by foreign visitors, as well as the 28.1 percent rise in overnight stays at mountain tourist destinations, which confirms the growing appeal of our mountain resorts beyond the winter season," Puhovac said.

He also highlighted the positive effects reflected in revenue from the tourist tax.

"Total tourist tax revenue in Republika Srpska during the first six months of this year amounted to BAM 1,300,401, representing a 25.68 percent increase compared with the same period last year. This clearly shows that an increasing number of service providers are operating within the legal framework and that the measures we have introduced are producing tangible results," Puhovac stated.

He stressed that the goal of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, together with the relevant inspection authorities, is to establish a well-regulated and transparent tourism market, rather than pursue a punitive approach.

"The growth in tourist arrivals and overnight stays, higher tourist tax revenues and the successful implementation of the Central Information System demonstrate that we are moving in the right direction. This provides a solid basis for continuing investment in the development of the tourism offer, infrastructure and the promotion of Republika Srpska as a competitive and increasingly attractive tourist destination," Puhovac said.