SeeSrpska

ACCOMMODATION PRICES IN BANJA LUKA RISE BY 20% FOR NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAYS

Nearly all accommodation facilities in the largest city of the Republika Srpska are fully booked for the upcoming New Year’s holidays, with prices soaring by 20% or more compared to last year.

ACCOMMODATION PRICES IN BANJA LUKA RISE BY 20% FOR NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAYS

The cost of accommodation ranges between 500 and 1,500 BAM for two people during the festive period.

Mladen Šukalo from the Banja Luka Tourist Organization told Fena that hoteliers and other accommodation providers have raised prices due to high demand.

“Banja Luka officially has around 2,500 beds. However, rural households and apartments, which are increasingly popular, are not included in official statistics. By our estimates, up to 800 additional beds available for tourists are not accounted for in the statistics,” Šukalo explained.

He added that interest in Banja Luka as a tourist destination continues to grow, emphasizing the need to establish precise data on arrivals, overnight stays, and tourist spending in the city.

“Our city does not have pronounced seasonality like coastal cities, for instance. Here, visitor numbers are consistently high, with a few peaks during the holidays,” Šukalo noted.

Traditionally, the majority of visitors to Banja Luka during the holidays, and throughout the year, come from the region. Most are from Serbia, followed by Slovenia and Croatia.

“This is based on official statistics. We assume that guests from Western Europe, who primarily arrive by air, tend to book apartments and other types of accommodation not included in these figures,” said Šukalo.

As a reminder, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Banja Luka will take place outdoors, featuring a concert by regional music star Senidah.