Tourism can be an important asset in the bilateral economic relations between Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Greece seems to be an attractive destination for Bosnians, with annual flows from Bosnia to Greece showing a steady increase in recent years. 2019 was an excellent year for Greek tourism (35.8% increase in flows from Bosnia) with total arrivals from B&E to Greece reaching 70 thousand according to estimates.
The Balkans, and especially Sarajevo, can be a magnet for winter tourism, given that two Olympic-standard ski resorts operate near the city, where the 1984 Winter Olympics were held.
In order to attract higher tourist flows from the Balkans to Greece, Greek participation in the International Tourism and Catering Exhibition “SARAJEVO TOURISM FESTIVAL” could play a role. This tourism exhibition brings together Tourism Organizations and Agencies of the country and the wider geographical region, domestic and foreign travel agencies, representatives of hotel units and tourist accommodations, owners and managers of restaurants, recreation centers and other tourist facilities.
Also, the Exhibition is attended and visited by investors, producers and traders of hotel and restaurant supplies and equipment, as well as providers – recipients of tourism services. Our country has never participated in this exhibition.
According to estimates, between 2014-2019 the total number of tourists from Bosnia to Greece increased by 218%. Then the tourist flow decreased due to the pandemic, while in 2024 arrivals from Bosnia and Herzegovina reached 30,100. The above figures are estimates, based on data from the National Tourism Agency of the Balkans.
According to data from the Agency, tourist flows from Greece to the Balkans are generally on an upward trend. In 2021, the country was visited by 1,509 Greek tourists and 3,732 overnight stays were recorded. In 2022, there was a 214.4% increase in the arrival of Greek tourists to the North-Eastern Region (4,953) and a 171.2% increase in their overnight stays (10,336 overnight stays). In 2023, 6,715 Greeks visited the North-Eastern Region (an increase of 35.6% compared to 2022) with 14,115 overnight stays (an increase of 36.55%).
For 2023, a total of 1.73 million tourists visited the North-Eastern Region (a 17.3% increase compared to 2022), with 3.64 million overnight stays (an increase of 13.2%). Approximately 1.18 million were tourists from abroad and 550 thousand from within the country. The most overnight stays from abroad were made by Croats (14.9%), Serbs 12.4%), Turks (8%), Slovenians (6.8%), Saudis (5.0%), Germans (4.8%), followed by tourists from the USA (3.3%) and the UAE (3.1%). Domestic tourism overnight stays account for 31.7% of total overnight stays.
(*) Information comes from the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs in Sarajevo.
