Slow Tourism for the Balkans
Over the years I have given a lot of thought into how to "hook" tourists to want to come and experience BiH and the region
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I just found this old post from maybe 18 months ago.
As I am now really into all that is Slow Tourism, I thought I would repost here
When I started An Englishman in the Balkans, the aim was to encourage as many people as I possibly could, to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and in particular, the northern part of the country.
The more people that came would mean more income for the local economy, as well as introducing foreigners (tourists) to this misunderstood and to a degree unknown destination.
Well apart from Sarajevo or Mostar, (that the world focussed on during the conflict of the 1990's).
That was the plan.
Over the years I have given a lot of thought into how to "hook" tourists to want to come and experience BiH and the region.
BiH is still relatively unspoilt compared to it's neighbours.
Yes, I am aware backpackers and couch surfers pass through as well as those young adventurers who are into extreme sports such as climbers, cavers, whitewater rafters, parachutists, and mountain bikers.
There are the long line of coaches coming into Mostar (and Sarajevo) for the one day "war trip", as that's what they are. Dark Tourism.
A day of rushing around with little time to introduce anyone to the amazing cultural and traditional nuances that is BiH.
Mostar in particular, has become, in my opinion, "Crowded Out".
Find out more about OverTourism HERE
Just to reinforce how OverTourism can cause massive problems and issues heres a short film from Andy Burgess, that articulates the situation far better than I can.
But the more mature tourists, people in their post career lives, who are looking to find out more about the world they have been bumping around in for decades, BiH isn't on their radar.
These "older" tourists prefer slower paced, flexible holidays, which is now referred to as "Slow Tourism".
Bosnia and Herzegovina still has to positively and proactively grasp the slow tourism concept.
So what happened to my original blogging plan?
Well, as you know, I decided to use the blog to document my life and experiences, for the benefit of the generations of my family yet to come.
BUT.
Maybe, just maybe, reading about what I get up to (read experience), might just stimulate people to want to come and "taste" some of what I taste every day, the way I taste it.
Does that make sense at all?
Time to crack on then, with living life to the fullest and sharing videos, podcasts and posts like these.
What do you think about Slow Tourism?
Let me know at anenglishmaninthebalkans@gmail.com
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