Case Study
Elevating Bosnia and Herzegovina
A Strategic Approach to Destination Development and Resilience
The Challenge
Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country with captivating natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, aimed to elevate its standing as a premier travel destination and enhance visitor engagement to drive economic growth, particularly within the context of a global pandemic.
Our Solution
A Data-Driven and Innovative Destination Enhancement Strategy
Chemonics collaborated closely with local stakeholders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement a targeted strategy focused on:
- Strategic International Promotion: Recognizing the power of digital platforms, we developed and executed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s inaugural TripAdvisor campaign, complemented by a comprehensive international media plan. This data-driven approach directly targeted key international markets, resulting in a measurable increase in bookings from Germany, Austria, and Turkey,
- Enhancing Air Connectivity: To improve accessibility and stimulate visitor arrivals, we forged strategic partnerships with three domestic airports. This collaboration led to the development and implementation of innovative aviation incentive schemes, successfully establishing new routes to Sarajevo International Airport and Tuzla Airport, expanding the country’s reach.
- Diversifying and Innovating Tourism Offerings: We worked collaboratively to create 35 new and diverse tourism products and services, catering to a wider range of traveler interests. This included a specific focus on promoting 24 authentic rural tourism experiences, unlocking the potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s less-explored regions.
- Building Resilience and Ensuring Traveler Confidence: Recognizing the critical need for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, we took a proactive approach by developing industry-specific health and safety guidelines. This ensured the tourism sector could adapt and maintain traveler confidence, safeguarding its crucial contribution to the national economy.


The Impact
Strengthening the Tourism Sector and Sustaining Economic Contribution
Our strategic interventions delivered significant results:
- Increased International Bookings: The targeted TripAdvisor campaign and international media plan directly contributed to a notable rise in bookings from key European markets and Turkey, demonstrating the effectiveness of our data-driven promotional strategies.
- Improved Air Accessibility: The establishment of new flight routes to Sarajevo and Tuzla airports significantly enhanced the country’s connectivity, making it more accessible to international travelers.
- Enhanced and Diversified Tourism Landscape: The creation of 35 new tourism products and the promotion of rural experiences broadened Bosnia and Herzegovina’s appeal, attracting a more diverse range of visitors and distributing economic benefits more widely.
- Sustaining Economic Contribution: Our efforts played a crucial role in helping the tourism sector navigate the challenges of the pandemic, maintaining its significant contribution to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s GDP at 6.6%.
