Bosnia & Herzegovina will be participating for the first time in FITUR, the tourism trade fair organised by IFEMA to be held in Madrid between 28 January and 1 February 2009. The Tourism Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina will have an exhibition stand in Hall 10 of the Feria de Madrid complex, thus joining the increasing number of international participants at the fair, which already stands at 170 countries and regions.

In its debut at FITUR, the country will be showcasing all the treasures its territory holds in store. Its cultural wealth and nature programmes will rank high among the attractions promoted.

Sarajevo, a city renowned for its vast heritage, will be one of the stars in Bosnia & Herzegovina’s stand at FITUR. The state capital is a true mosaic, with traditional Ottoman architecture standing in harmony with modern-style buildings. The Baščaršija district of the old part of town is a good example of the agreement between history and modernity. The area also offers a myriad of restaurants with the most exquisite local food and markets with an allure that will seduce any visitor. Close at hand is the Bey Mosque, one of the finest and largest in the Balkans.

Travellers who want to know more about Sarajevo will find some extremely interesting collections on Bosnian culture and history in the City Museum, and music lovers will be pleased to know about the celebrated international festivals held in the city, such as the Winter Festival (Sarajevska Zima), which receives over two million visitors from December to April.

But the capital will not be all at Bosnia & Herzegovina’s site at FITUR. Mostar should not be missed by anyone visiting the country. Its old quarter and the bridge across the Neretva river, both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005, provide assurance of the town’s beauty. Other destinations join the list: Banja Luka, the second-largest city in the country; Tuzla, known as the city of salt due to its traditional salt mines, in use since the 10th century; and Medugorje, a town that was blessed by an apparition of the Virgin Mary - an event that turned it into a place of pilgrimage for Roman Catholics - with a lot to offer wine tourists too thanks to its location in a vineyard-rich area.  

The Bosnia & Herzegovina delegation will also be laying emphasis on their rich offer in the field of adventure tourism. Nature enthusiasts will find a wide range of open-air activities in the country, including canyoning and hiking in one of its many nature reserves. One example of these is the Sutjeska National Park, named after the river that runs through it. The park is home to the highest peak in the country, Mount Maglic, which marks the border between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. And to top it all, the country also offers winter activities in its ski resorts. Jahorina, Bjelašnica, Babanovac and Čajuša are just some of the winter sports facilities around.