NEUM WELCOMES SUMMER CROWDS AS TOURISTS FLOCK FROM ACROSS EUROPE

In search of relief from the summer heat, many citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as visitors from across the region and Europe, have already found their way to Neum. And many more are expected, as the peak of the summer season is yet to come.

PHOTO: Putni kofer - Shutterstock

Accommodation capacities are already largely booked, and prices have risen slightly compared to last year. According to Nikola Prkačin, director of the Neum Municipality Tourist Board, prices vary between hotels and private apartments.

“In higher-category hotels during the summer season, bed and breakfast costs 100 BAM or more per person. In private accommodation, an apartment for four people costs around 150 BAM per night and up. Prices were lower during the preseason,” Prkačin told Nezavisne novine.

He also commented on the prices in cafes and restaurants, noting that overall prices have increased by about five percent due to inflation.

“I believe we are the most competitive on this part of the Adriatic. Restaurant and café prices are similar to those in major cities in BiH. We are not more expensive. We’re still more affordable than winter destinations, like Bosnian mountain resorts,” he said.

As for the current situation in Neum, Prkačin added that “Neum is filling up well.”

“Since the school year ended, the number of tourists from BiH has significantly increased. Hotels are mostly filled with foreign guests from EU countries, while private accommodations are mostly booked by guests from BiH. Weekends are fully booked, and there is still some availability during weekdays. Starting next month, we expect full occupancy every day. We are very satisfied with how the season has gone so far, and we expect that trend to continue – the weather is great, and the sea is warm and clean,” he said, adding that the preseason was excellent, the best in recent years.

Tomislav Lovrić, owner of Hotel Jadran and Hotel Marea, confirmed the success of the early season. He told Nezavisne novine that tourist numbers were similar to last year and that there were no major drops.

“We’re now entering the main season, which begins on July 15 and lasts until September. Our capacities are well booked – there is still some availability, but bookings are going strong. We’re receiving many inquiries, just like last year,” said Lovrić, adding that they’re also hoping for a strong post-season, which lasts until November 1 and brings in tourist groups.

According to Lovrić, most guests during the main season are domestic tourists from BiH, along with visitors from Croatia and Serbia.

“In the preseason and post-season, most tourists come from France, Poland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and some from Asia,” he said.

Davor Krešić, sales director at Hotel Sunce, had also expressed optimism earlier, noting that this season could even surpass last year’s, based on early bookings.

“We hope all those bookings materialize, and we believe we can expect another great season. We’re very optimistic,” he said.

Seasonal Workers Coming from Abroad

Neum is not immune to the workforce shortage that has hit many tourist destinations, and this has become a recurring issue each year.

As a result, seasonal workers from countries like Nepal, the Philippines, and India, as well as from nearby countries such as Serbia and North Macedonia, are being hired.

“Two years ago, we brought in 10 workers from Nepal. They’ve stayed with us, settled in well, and we’re extremely satisfied with them,” Lovrić told Nezavisne novine earlier.