Perspectives of the Development of Sports Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Anka Bulatović – European University Brcko District, Bijeljinska, bb, 76100, Breko, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lidija Vučićević – European University Breko District, Bijeljinska, bb, 76100, Breko, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Elda Lolić – European University Kallos, XVIII hrvatske brigade, 8, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract: Sports tourism is considered one of the fastest-growing sectors in tourism. More and more tourists are interested in sports activities during their travels, regardless of whether sports are the main purpose of the trip or not. Major sporting events can be a catalyst for tourism development if they are successfully used in terms of destination branding, infrastructure development and other economic and social benefits. This research analyzed the importance, potentials and challenges, as well as the perspectives on the development of sports tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Numerous destinations and specific attractions, along with natural and cultural heritage, provide the possibility of a diverse offer of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, with adequate strategies for further development and more intensive promotional marketing activities, contributes not only to the strengthening of economic growth, but also sports tourism, and sports in general. Sports Tourism is experiencing growth and attracts an increasing number of visitors from countries around the world. Using a combined methodological approach, which includes surveying stakeholders and analyzing collected data, we highlight the importance of sports tourism, as well as sports in general. The goal is to make Bosnia and Herzegovina an even more attractive destination by instructing policymakers and tourism professionals to strengthen and expand existing capacities and ensure sustainability and economic benefits for the well-being of the entire society, given the competitive environment of countries in the region that also abound in natural beauty, and a rich and attractive offer of sports activities and tourist experiences.

10th International Scientific Conference ERAZ 2024 – Conference Proceedings: KNOWLEDGE BASED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,  hybrid – online, virtually and in person, Lisbon, Portugal, June 6, 2024

ERAZ Conference Proceedings published by: Association of Economists and Managers of the Balkans – Belgrade, Serbia

ERAZ conference partners: Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, Maribor (Slovenia); University of National and World Economy – UNWE, Sofia (Bulgaria); Center for Political Research and Documentation (KEPET), Research Laboratory of the Department of Political Science of University of Crete (Greece); Institute of Public Finance – Zagreb (Croatia); Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Ohrid, University of St. Kliment Ohridski from Bitola (North Macedonia)

ERAZ Conference 2024 Conference Proceedings: ISBN 978-86-80194-86-8, ISSN 2683-5568,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/ERAZ.2024

Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission. 

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