WILL THE NEW TOURISM LAW PREVENT UNFAIR COMPETITION?

The growing number of tourist tours organized by citizens’ associations has opened a heated debate in the tourism sector of Republika Srpska. Although the law clearly defines who is allowed to provide tourism services and under what conditions, many associations have started offering organized trips — a practice that licensed travel agencies claim creates unfair competition and potential risks for travelers.

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Travel agencies operate under strict regulations: they must obtain official licenses, employ highly qualified staff who speak foreign languages, and secure bank guarantees. Everything must be properly certified.

“Regarding the requirements that regulate our work — they exist for a reason. It must be clear who can operate as a travel agency and who meets the necessary conditions, both for the safety of passengers and for the agencies themselves,” said Vanja Savić from Unis Tours Banjaluka, as reported by RTRS.

On the other hand, citizens’ associations, as non-profit organizations, fall under a completely different legal framework. They may organize activities exclusively for their members, but they are not allowed to commercially organize tourist tours.

Still, suspicions remain that some associations do operate on a profit basis, says Kompas Tours.

“Generally, we in the agencies in Srpska have nothing against associations. Everyone should do what they think is best. We are not creating a monopoly, nor do we want one — we only want everyone to work under the same conditions and standards applied to travel agencies,” said Mladen Račić, director of Kompas Tours.

The Ministry of Trade and Tourism has addressed these concerns in the Draft of the New Tourism Law, announcing stricter controls and clearer distinctions between the activities permitted to associations and those reserved for licensed travel agencies. The goal is to regulate the market and ensure safety and service quality for travelers.

“What is extremely important — and something we discussed with travel agencies — is that they complained about associations operating on the black market, organizing one-day and multi-day trips for various citizens. With the new law, we are introducing tighter controls, and associations will be allowed to operate only for their members and without profit,” explained Denis Šulić, Minister of Trade and Tourism of Republika Srpska.

The issue is far from negligible, confirms the Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska. Unfair competition harms agencies that comply with regulations — from passenger insurance to mandatory licenses, taxes, and other obligations.

“We can see on the ground that associations often organize tours and practically interfere with the work meant for licensed agencies,” said Marko Radić, head of the Promotion Department of the Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska.

The new law also introduces several changes: extending eligibility for tourist vouchers to foreign tourists, enabling the electronic sale of package arrangements, and creating a new professional title — rafting guide.

In the Rafting Association of Foča, they emphasize that those navigating the boats must be licensed.

“All skippers working for us have a license — they must have one. None of us would allow anyone to steer a boat without it. God forbid something happens — that’s the first thing checked,” stressed Zdravko Matović, president of the Tara and Drina Rafting Association.

The new Tourism Law is currently in draft form, and a public debate is expected soon. The Ministry hopes that the proposed measures will lead to a fairer market and strengthen the further development of tourism in Republika Srpska.