Intrepid Travel, The Travel Corporation, the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council (GTTRC), and US international development agency USAID have joined forces to facilitate sustainable tourism development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Travel Corporation, Intrepid and the GTTRC signed partnership deals with the USAID Turizam project for developing sustainable tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the recent A World for Travel forum in Nimes.
They aim through collaboration to spur development of sustainable, community-based tourism and transform Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tourism potential into a globally recognised example of sustainable tourism development.
USAID Turizam chief of party Ibrahim Osta, Intrepid EMEA managing director Zina Bencheikh, The Travel Corporation global sustainability manager Nadine Pinto and Duncan Horton, chief executive of Jacobs Media Group representing the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council signed two agreements in Nimes (pictured above).
Bencheikh said: “Developing sustainable tourism in new destinations is a key focus for Intrepid and we are delighted to be working with USAID Project Turizam and the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council on this project.
“Partnerships like these are essential as we move toward a more sustainable future for our industry.”
She added: “We’re grateful to play a part in making this beautiful destination more accessible in a way that respects the history of the country, leaves a light footprint and respects and supports local communities.”
Horton said: “We could not be prouder of the work the Resilience Council has done this year, particularly with such a positive story to share with other destinations which may be looking at repositioning sustainably.”
Erol Mujanović, deputy director of the USAID-Bosnia Herzegovina economic growth office, said: “Tourism is the country’s strategic sector, accounting for 11% of total employment and one of the key generators of exports and foreign exchange.”
USAID Turizam is a five-year project which aims to fuel broad-based, tourism-driven economic growth and promote social harmony by capitalising on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich cultural heritage and distinctive nature.
The project aims to set the tourism industry on a trajectory towards a sustainable economy with increased employment and business expansion.
The Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council’s focus is on bringing together the public and private sectors to facilitate collaboration and sustainability in the development of tourism strategies.