CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE AS A MAGNET FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS

Banja Luka is increasingly positioning itself as an attractive destination for tourists, not only due to outdoor activities and event tourism, which have already been recognized as key drivers of development, but also because of its potential for religious tourism.

PHOTO: Mladen Šukalo

According to tourism expert Mladen Šukalo, Banja Luka boasts a rich religious heritage, including two Orthodox monasteries, Krupa and Gomionica, several Orthodox wooden churches, typical for the northwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the easternmost Trappist monastery in Europe, "Marija Zvijezda." 

The city is also home to the Church of Christ the Savior, one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as a cathedral that was visited by Pope John Paul II in 2003. Additionally, Banja Luka has 16 mosques, with the most famous being the Ferhadija Mosque, dating back to 1579.

Furthermore, Banja Luka serves as the seat of the Banja Luka Diocese, the Banja Luka Bishopric, and the Banja Luka Mufti's Office. Although the city lacks an internationally significant religious center or procession that would attract foreign visitors, Šukalo explains that religious tourism is primarily oriented toward local tourists. Current visitors to religious sites in Banja Luka mostly fall into the category of cultural tourists, who visit various religious landmarks within the same trip.

Šukalo highlights that while Banja Luka has not yet become a destination with a large number of tourists from Western countries, it has seen a growing number of foreign visitors, particularly from neighboring countries. In 2023, the largest number of foreign tourist arrivals came from Serbia (28.67%), Slovenia (20.53%), and Croatia (11.03%), together making up 60% of foreign tourists. This figure is nearly on par with the pre-pandemic period of 2019.

While the rise in regional tourists is evident, Šukalo believes that the number of visitors from other countries could increase thanks to affordable flights. However, he emphasizes that most tourists arriving by plane tend to book accommodation in private apartments, which are not included in statistical data.

Positive experiences from foreign tourists who visit Banja Luka confirm its tourism potential. According to Šukalo, visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the city and the diverse offerings available. Given Bosnia and Herzegovina's poor reputation abroad, often due to media coverage of war, corruption, and political conflicts, tourists who visit Banja Luka frequently leave with positive impressions and carry fond memories of the destination.