Resilience and Innovation Summit concludes in Sarajevo

Written By Karen Jensen
 
 
 

The "Resilience & Innovation Summit" organised by USAID and the Resilience Council in Sarajevo took place on 6-7 June and highlighted the importance of tourism in driving economic growth, investment, and job creation. The event included a series of plenary sessions and spotlights featuring industry leaders and experts discussing various aspects of tourism development, resilience, and innovation, with a focus on Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans.

The event boasted over 500 plus registrants across both days with attendees coming from 28 different countries.

Key points and sessions include:

  1. State of Play, Growth Prospects, and Opportunities for Southeast Europe and Western Balkans: An overview of the tourism industry in southeastern Europe, with data and insights for market and investment planning.

  2. The Western Balkans as a Pristine Destination: Regional tourism leaders discuss the uniqueness of each country and opportunities for regional collaboration.

  3. Governments Driving Inspiration: Strategies for augmenting government communications to boost international tourism.

  4. Strategies of Resilience and Profitability: Discussions on establishing resilient frameworks for sustainable growth and risk management in tourism.

  5. Data-Driven Informed Planning for Destination Success: The role of real-time data capture and analysis in enhancing marketing strategies and visitor loyalty.

  6. Building Industry Anchors: DEI, ESG, and Workforce Enhancement: The importance of gender equality, social empowerment, and workforce development in tourism.

  7. Destination Partnerships to Attract High-Value Global Visitors: The significance of private sector partnerships in driving tourism success.

  8. Nature-Based Tourism: Exploring the potential of nature-based tourism in southeastern Europe, emphasizing economic growth and preservation of natural heritage.

The event also featured B2B networking sessions, a startup competition, and discussions on investment gaps, technology in tourism, and innovation. The summit concludes with a wrap-up session reviewing key findings and future directions for sustainable tourism development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Find the full session overview here: Overview & Videos

 

Karen Jensen
Previous

Decoding the Future of Tourism Resilience -Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

Next

Resilience Council partner Trust My Group publishes informative blog series about navigating Risk: An Overview of Risk for the Travel Industry