TOURISTIC POSSIBILITIES OF MOSTAR

1. TOURISTIC POSSIBILITIES OF MOSTAR CONTENT: General characteristics of Mostar The state of tourism in Mostar Tourism resources of Mostar and its region Possibilities for development of tourism in Mostar

2. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICSINFORMATION ABOUT MOSTAR Mostar is the city of sun with average temperature of 15,8 ºC The area of Mostar is 1227km2 and it is the fifth largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina According to the assessment from 2007 Mostar has 126.628 inhabitants of whom 72.934 aged between 15 and 64 In April 2007 there were 25.695 employed inhabitants and 14.699 unemployed inhabitants In the area of the city there is 5500 legal and physical entities MOSTAR

3. Mostar is the economic, political and cultural centre • It lies at the height of 60 m above sea-level • It is surrounded by the slopes of the mountains of Prenj, Velež and Čabulja • The Neretva river flows through the center of the town • A modern road as well as railway follow the Neretva connecting Mostar with the North and the South • Mostar is located 60 km away from the Adriatic Sea and it has a Mediterranean climate favorable for the cultivations of vegetable and fruits such as cherries, apricots and figs. Very famous are high quality Herzegovina tobacco and grapes • For centuries, Mostar has been at the cross-roads of various civilisations and each one left its traces • In the city and its vicinity, there are famous and unique locations of cultural, historical and natural heritage witnessing on the life in the area even in antique times

4. THE STATE OF TOURISM IN MOSTAR On international tourist market Mostar should be considered as one micro destination which is not a competition to other destinations, but they complement each other The model of tourism that we have today needs to be taken to the higher level of quality by including all disposable cultural, historical and natural beauties in tourist products as well as through organization different cultural and tourist events Accommodation capacity: 4 hotels in private ownership with more than 350 beds, 2 hotels waiting for reconstruction, 7 motels equipped according to European standards with more than 200 beds and number of small private pensions with more than 100 beds

5. Indirect tourist resourcesPublic infrastructureGeological position and traffic connection (especially Mostar Airportwww.mostar-airport.ba, the existing main road and future corridor Vc-the connection with Central Europe and Mediterranean)

6. Direct tourist resources Water Springs of drinking water: Drežnica, Hajdučke vode on Ruište, Bošnjaci in Bijelo polje. Rivers: Buna and Bunica, Drežanjka, Radobolja, Neretva and its affluent (rafting). Accumulation lakes: Salakovac and Grabovica, Mostarsko Blato Hydro geological and speleological objects: Diva Grabovica, Drežnica, Canyon of the River Neretva Water sports: Sport fishing, relaxing by the river (camping) TOURIST RESOURCES OF MOSTAR AND ITS REGION Neretva Rakitnica

7. Boračko Lake Waterfall Kravice Jablaničko Lake

8. Mountains Velež, Podvelež, Hum, Čabulja, Prenj(Ruište), Čvrsnica, Diva Grabovica Hunting on Prenj `s chamois, partridges and wild boars in Podveležje, deer on Ruište, Drežnica and Goranci. Winter sports on Ruište, holidays in clean, untouched nature as a well of life and health, herbs and forest fruits. Čvrsnica Prenj

9. Cultural and historical heritage The Old Bridge, after the reconstruction, was included on UNESCO list of protected monuments together with The Old Town, in 2005 Dervish's House in Blagaj, The Old Town of Herceg Stjepan in Blagaj Karadžoz-bey`s Mosque, Koski Mehmed pasha`s Mosque with a fountain (šadrvan) Franciscan Monastery, The Church of Sts Peter and Paul, The Old Orthodox Church Frescoes in sacral objects, Clock Tower (Sahat kula), Turkish bath (hamam), City bath (Banja), numerous houses in authentic architecture Partisan cemetery and numerous cemeteries of all confessions Water-mills on Buna, Radobolja and Drežnica Old bridges (Crooked bridge on Radobolja), Leho `s and Kosor`s bridge on Buna Archaeological museum, tombstones (stećci), Basilica in Cim and Žitomislići Closeness of Počitelj, Mogorjelo, Hutovo blato and Međugorje Cultural manifestations: Dives from the Old Bridge, Šantić`s Evenings of Poetry, art exhibitions, cultural manifestation “Days of Matica hrvatska”, etc. Rich and various gastro-offer Tourist agencies, Tourist staff, educated local population

10. TOURISM POTENTIAL OF THE CITY OF MOSTAR AND SURROUNDINGS IN PICTURESCULTURAL-HISTORICAL HERITAGE The Old Bridge Catholic church The Old Grammar school Bišćević`s House Orthodox church Partisan cemetery

11. MOSTARTHE OLD TOWN

12. Karađoz-bey`s Mosque Bishop's residence Synagogue Early Christian basilica-Cim Cathedral Koski Mehmed-pasha`s Mosque

13. POČITELJ – The Old Town from 15 C BLAGAJ MOGORJELO – 1 C.

14. RADIMLJA 30 km from Mostar The most significant and most beautiful cemetery of medieval tombstones (stećci) OŠANIĆI 35 km from Mostar Remains of a town settlement of the Illyrian tribe Daorsi.

15. ADVENTURE TOURISM HUTOVO BLATO – Nature Park DIVES FROM THE OLD BRIDGE RAFTING ON NERETVA BLIDINJE – Nature park

16. RELIGIOUS TOURISM THE HOUSE OF DERVISHES IN BLAGAJ – TEKIJA 12 km from Mostar Tekija is the example of Islamic sacred residental architecture of B&H from 16th century. This centuries old place of meditation and prayer is also a place of pilgramage opened all year for visitors. MEĐUGORJE 27 km from Mostar Since the Appaarition of Our Lady to a group of children in 1981, this place has become a place for Catholic pilgrimage from all over the world. More than one million believers visit Međugorje in one year.

17. MONASTERY IN ŽITOMISLIĆI Situated 20 km from Mostar, it is the most important Herzegovina’s Orthodox Monastery from 16th century. It is very famous by its Altar with the iconographic representation of the “Announciation”.

18. SELECTIVE FORM OF TOURISM OFFER Excursion and transit tourism Cultural tourism Rural tourism Eco tourism / eco villages Religious tourism Winter tourism Sport and sport-recreative tourism Hunting tourism Fishing tourism Gastro tourism Vine tourism /Vine roads / Adventure tourism /rafting, kayak, canoe, diving sports, mountain climbing,free climbing, mountain biking, paragliding,hanggliding, speleology, etc. Other selective forms of tourism- developing tourist offer on resource valorisations which is in advance suggested to the stated forms, the possibility of forming some other types of tourism is present. Some of them are already present in tourist offer of Mostar / youth tourism, congress tourism, educational tourism, scientific tourism/.

19. POSSIBILITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM PROJECTIONS OF CONTENT DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST OFFER OF THE CITY OFMOSTAR Abandoning passive way of tourism (package arrangements ) and moving to selective tourism. By doing that, this will be accomplished: Increasing the attractiveness of tourist destinations, and more visitors Greater income from tourism Greater employment of domestic population (especially in rural areas) Increasing the general quality of life of destination overall Encouraging investment in the protection and restoration of natural and cultural heritage Increasing the general educational and cultural level of the population Rising awareness of value of the place in which one lives

20. WHAT DOES THE CITY OF MOSTAR DO? • Constant post-war reconstruction, rehabilitation and protection of cultural heritage (since 1995, still lot to do...) • Cooperation with the local and international institutions and organisations in charge of tourism • Raising awareness in ecology • Touristic promotion • Considers tourism to be the generator of developement • Developement of different projects in tourism such as: • The Tourist Quality Project: aims to improve the quality of what can be offered to tourists in the area of Mostar; it is developed in cooperation with the City of Florence (Italy), the Province of Pisa (Italy) and Herzegovina-Neretva Canton; makes local tour operators and all receptive framework aware of techniques and international experience related to local quality labels; the companies that participated in this project have had to go through many tests and controls and in case of positive result, they obtained the Quality Label (various tourist sectors: typical crafts shops, hotels, motels and B&B’s, restaurants, tourist agencies) • Support of the economic development of Mostar through the improvement of the tourism sector: developed in cooperation with Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation; actions: raising awareness campain, improvement of communal equipment, educational courses in tourism, preparation, printing and distribution of promotional materials of Mostar, tourist promotion of Mostar in B&H and internationaly; participation at the Fitur 2009.

22. RECOGNISABLE SORTS OF HERZEGOVINA

23. USEFUL INFORMATION If you decide to visit Mostar... • For entering Bosnia and Herzegovina you don’t need Visa (detailed info under: www.mvp.gov.ba) • You can easily reach Mostar by earth and by air • Already in Mostar, you can reach all surrounding attractions by public transport, by renting a car or simply using some of arrangements of local tourist agencies • You can exchange your currency for Konvertible Mark in any of the banks, at the airport or at the hotels (1€ = 1,95 KM) • You can prepare your travel by visiting some of the web sites such as: www.bhtourism.ba www.hercegovina.ba www.hiddenbosnia.com www.narenta.eu www.visitmostar.net www.vinskacesta.ba www.velez-tourism.ba - Already in Mostar, you can easily find the way by simply following modern tourist signalisation - Already in Mostar, for all info you can turn to Tourist Info Centre located in the very Old town

24. The renewal after the war brought the city back in life. Cobble pavements of The Old Town are once again filled with tourists from all over the world. Coffee bars are full with people of all generations who enjoy the fresh air and the fantastic view on the river Neretva. Cultural heritage monuments are mostly renewed and museums are open. The glass of fine red or white Herzegovina’s wine together with the typical gastronomical offer will help your good mood. Don’t forget to visit small handicraft shops and bring with you some souvenirs or some traditional chees or famous vines Žilavka and Blatina. Don’t miss the traditional jumpers performance! SIMPLY ENJOY MOSTAR! MORE INFO

25. Thank you