RECORDS BROKEN: BANJALUKA BECOMES AN ATTRACTIVE TOURIST DESTINATION

Banja Luka, the largest city in the Republic of Srpska, recorded an impressive 186,718 overnight stays by tourists in 2024, marking a seven percent increase compared to the previous year.

These statistics indicate that tourism in Banja Luka is on the rise, with the number of visits and overnight stays growing each year. According to data from the Republic Institute of Statistics, 123,266 tourist arrivals were recorded in 2024, which is a six percent increase from 2023, when there were 116,244 arrivals.

The Banja Luka Tourist Organization highlights the rapid growth of tourism in the city on the Vrbas River.

"Foreign tourists hold the leading position when it comes to both overnight stays and arrivals in Banja Luka. Statistical data clearly shows that tourism in the city is experiencing significant growth. In 2024, a total of 186,718 overnight stays were recorded, representing an approximately seven percent increase compared to 2023, when there were 174,686," representatives from the Tourist Organization of Banja Luka (TOBL) stated.

They also emphasized that the past year was marked by group visits from tourists coming from Scandinavia, Italy, Spain, and France.

According to the Tourist Organization, Banja Luka has met expectations and established itself as one of the most desirable destinations for New Year’s celebrations.

"This is confirmed by December statistics, which show an increase in the number of arrivals and overnight stays compared to the same period in 2023. Banja Luka has become widely recognized as an attractive tourist destination," TOBL representatives concluded.