On Thursday, 6 May 2021, the Norwegian Embassy in Sarajevo and NBBA (Norway – BiH Business Association) held another webinar – this time on tourism.
In his introduction, Ambassador Olav Reinertsen emphasized that this webinar was initiated by his belief that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a highly interesting market for Norwegian tourists.
Jan Morritz Olsson, NBBA Chairman, pointed out that, from his own experience of travelling all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was sure that there are a lot of undiscovered pearls, just what Norwegian tourists are looking for.
The webinar was structured in the way that Norwegian experts from the travel industry had the opportunity to present what can be interesting for Norwegian tourists when coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and how Bosnia and Herzegovina can attract them. The participants were from various travel industry agencies from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Minister of Trade and Tourism of the Republika Srpska, Suzana Gašić, and Sabina Salihbegović, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, greeted the participants. They both pointed out the potentials the entire country could offer in the sector of tourism, emphasizing “adrenaline tourism”, rafting, mountaineering, rural adventures, and nature-oriented tourism.
In the first presentation – “What is Important for Norwegian Tourists when Choosing a Destination?” Astrid Bergmål, Director at Virke, focused on reopening of travel market after the pandemic. She referred to a recent survey that was conducted in Norway about the plans of Norwegians for holidays. Although 73% admit that the pandemic affected their holiday plans, there still is a great desire to travel. In fact, one out of three expressed their wish to experience new destinations. Bergmål sees this as a great opportunity for BiH. More persons than before – 28% – want to have an active holiday – this is where rafting, mountaineering etc. in BiH can be the point of attraction already this upcoming season.
Bergmål also emphasized the focus on sustainable travels as Norwegians want to contribute to something positive also when travelling. She also pointed out another trend that is rising – Norwegians increasingly see good healthy environment as more important than ever.
Bergmål suggested a good meeting place in Norway for travel agencies – Travelmatch – A professional meeting place for the International Travel Trade. A roadmap prepared by Virke for sustainable travels abroad consists of three parts: What the Industry Can Do; Recommendation for Politicians and Advice for the Customers – roadmap-for-more-sustainable-travel-focusing-on-travel-abroad.pdf (virke.no)
Under the title, “Unique You – Unique Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Merete Moen, CEO of the company “World with a Suitcase” presented the commercial aspects of travel industry. She said that if one wants to attract Norwegian tourists, they need to facilitate healthy lifestyle, be value-driven, and be friendly as Norwegians are. She also repeated “sustainability” as very high on Norwegian priority list.
Moen pointed out the Unique Selling Point (USP) as something that makes a country attractive and competitive. For today’s presentation, Moen had asked 4 four Norwegian travel agencies why they should consider working with BiH. The answers were quite interesting and maybe somewhat surprising.
D. Karlsson, Managing Director of Tema, “In order to have the visitors spend more time in BiH and have tours only to the country we need to work together B2B to find the true gems of the country.”
The owner of Vandring på Balkan, Elisabeth Eriksen, “Take us to the unspoiled, unique places, introduce us to local people and choose the best guides, then we will bring our Norwegian customers”.
Thomas Pedersen, Marketing Manager at Olive Reisen said, “What is important is to create those unique experiences, and find local partners and guides with high skills and knowledge wanting to make an extra effort so that we get to visit, see, eat and stay in those secret places only locals know about”.
Charlotte Ehde-Eliassen, CEO & Owner of Jomfrureiser – Women Only Tours, “Yoga, hiking, spa, local shopping, healthy food, wine and active tours. Have tested BiH, the guides were not up to our
standard. Will try again if BiH can show us the authentic, unique, hidden, cool places. We need “greenfood ” and we need to know what they do with the garbage. We need storytelling and to meet the locals as friends”
In the extensive Q&A sessions that followed the presentations, some of the agencies in BiH emphasized that they have already prepared packages that might be attractive for Norwegian tourists. They wanted to know which social media are best for promoting tourism.
Finalizing the webinar on tourism, Ambassador Olav Reinertsen expressed his satisfaction with the great interest and that follow-up seminars will be held in the near future.
“BiH is a gold mine; it is just a matter of where to start digging,” The Ambassador concluded.
Tips for tourist workers:
- Norwegians are demanding as tourists, they expect a lot, then they will tell their friends and post their stories online. If they are happy, it can boost your marketing.
- Post more information on what you are doing – work and report more about sustainability. Sustainability is climate, as well as development, jobs.
- “Be yourself, be authentic, be sustainable” Bergmål
- “Identify, define and communicate your Unique Selling Point!” Moen
- Quality is important but does not mean luxury.