TREBINJE BEEKEEPERS BECOME PART OF THE CITY’S TOURISM OFFERING

TREBINJE – Beekeepers from Trebinje are set to play a much larger role in the city’s tourism industry following the signing of a cooperation and mutual understanding agreement between the Trebinje Tourist Organization and the local Beekeepers’ Association “Leotar”.

The agreement, signed by Tourist Organization Director Jovica Milošević and association president Obrad Ninković, aims to integrate beekeeping more closely into the tourism sector while enriching Trebinje’s overall visitor experience.

Under the new initiative, tourists will have the opportunity to visit active apiaries, learn about the honey production process, wear protective beekeeping suits, taste honey and other bee products, explore api-chambers and api-rooms, tour rural households, and purchase authentic Herzegovinian products directly from local producers.

According to Milošević, the agreement formalizes and expands a cooperation that has already existed between the tourism and beekeeping sectors.

“We have committed to supporting Trebinje’s beekeepers through marketing and promotion of their apiaries and rural estates. At the same time, the SMART ERA project is currently underway, which will map rural households, apiaries and other elements of the city’s authentic rural offer. These locations will be made available to international visitors through a dedicated digital platform,” Milošević said.

He added that the agreement will also allow joint appearances at tourism fairs and promotional events aimed at travelers seeking authentic experiences.

Some Trebinje beekeepers are already participating in similar tourism projects, welcoming visitors directly to their apiaries. Guests can dress in protective suits, observe the entire honey production process, learn about packaging and processing, and enjoy guided tastings.

“We have been hosting tourists, particularly from the United States, for quite some time through organized programmes. Visitors spend time in the apiaries under strict safety measures, learning about honey production, visiting api-rooms and discovering other traditional products made in our villages,” Milošević explained.

Ninković believes rural tourism offers enormous untapped potential and sees the agreement as an important step toward its development.

“One of the first activities will be the establishment of an expert commission that will inspect all interested beekeepers. Since not every apiary can accommodate tourists, strict standards will be applied. After the evaluation process, a list of approved locations will be provided to the Tourist Organization so that visitors can be directed to suitable destinations,” he said.

He emphasized that the initiative is only the beginning of a broader partnership and that all participants stand to benefit. Even beekeepers who do not host tourists will gain greater visibility and improved opportunities to sell their products, while those offering api-therapy facilities and honey-based products will have access to a larger customer base.

From the perspective of Trebinje’s tourism sector, the project represents a foundation for the development of api-tourism and the creation of innovative experiences that will further diversify and strengthen the city’s tourism offer.

With its combination of nature, traditional beekeeping, rural hospitality and authentic local products, Trebinje is positioning itself as a destination where visitors can experience Herzegovina in a unique and immersive way.