PUHOVAC: SPA TOURISM MOST DEVELOPED, SRPSKA'S NATURAL POTENTIALS HAVE ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY UTILIZED

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 13 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Minister of Trade and Tourism Ned Puhovac assessed that spa tourism is currently the most developed segment of Srpska's tourism offer, but that a vast portion of its natural potential remains insufficiently utilized.

Puhovac said in SRNA podcast that he was particularly impressed by the development of Srpska's spa resorts. Referring to Banja Vrućica, he stated that the level of service is comparable to that of the most developed European tourist destinations. "I have been to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Australia, and I can say that this is the level of those countries, if not even better. I was especially impressed by the way they think and plan for development," Puhovac emphasized. He stressed that long-term planning is one of the key factors behind success in tourism. As examples of underutilized potential, Puhovac cited numerous natural sites throughout the Srpska, including Majevica, Perućica, rivers, and mountain resorts. As one positive example, he highlighted the Busija tourist complex near Lopare, where a private investor is developing facilities with its own resources in harmony with the natural environment. According to Puhovac, such projects demonstrate that there is investor interest in tourism, but also that greater institutional support is required in order to transform the natural assets of Republika Srpska into a recognizable tourism product.