HOW KRUPA NA VRBASU EARNED A PLACE ON THE MAP OF THE WORLD’S BEST TOURISM VILLAGES

What for years had been a favorite picnic spot for residents of Banja Luka has now officially become one of the world’s best tourism villages. Krupa na Vrbasu has made history as the first location from Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive this prestigious recognition from UN Tourism (the World Tourism Organization).

PHOTO: Tomas Damjanović

The Director of the Banja Luka Tourist Organization (TOBL), Minja Šurlan, reflected on the village’s remarkable journey—from a local development initiative to global recognition—in an authorial text published by UN Tourism.

From a Day-Trip Spot to a Serious Destination

The transformation began with a clear vision: to protect Krupa’s natural beauty and spiritual heritage while creating new opportunities for the local community. Just a few years ago, Krupa na Vrbasu welcomed between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors annually, most of whom stayed only for a few hours. Today, those numbers have more than doubled.

“The results are evident. Over the past year, Krupa na Vrbasu hosted between 50,000 and 70,000 visitors, representing growth of more than 100 percent. Even more importantly, the average length of stay has increased, with visitors increasingly choosing overnight stays and a more authentic rural experience,” Šurlan emphasized.

Community Power and New Experiences

The key to success lies in strong community involvement. Through the association “Green Greben Grad,” local residents have taken an active role in shaping the village’s tourism development. The number of households engaged in tourism has grown from five to 25, while around ten new tourism-related businesses have been launched.

The tourism offer has been enriched with 15 new experiences, ranging from truffle hunting and traditional cooking workshops to marked hiking trails and events such as the popular “Romantic Nights.”

A Historic Moment

The award ceremony held in China was not merely a recognition, but a confirmation that sustainable development can successfully transform rural areas without compromising their identity.

“When we learned that Krupa had officially been included among the world’s best villages, it was a historic moment for our community. The village’s visibility on the international map has increased dramatically, but the greatest achievement is the pride I see among local residents,” said the Director of TOBL.

For Krupa na Vrbasu, this recognition is not the end of the journey, but a powerful motivation to continue building a future in which tourism serves the community and preserves what makes it unique—from waterfalls and historic mills to monasteries and unforgettable hospitality.