TOURISM VOUCHERS BUILD ANOTHER BRIDGE BETWEEN SRPSKA AND SERBIA

The expansion of the tourism voucher program to include both Republika Srpska and Serbia could open the door to new opportunities for affordable travel, stronger tourism exchange and mutual benefits for citizens on both sides of the Drina. For the first time, travellers would be able to use the same incentives in spas and other popular destinations across both countries.

This development comes as the autumn cycle of tourism vouchers in Srpska nears its end, with all available vouchers fully used. A new legal framework and the planned budget for next year create space for the program to be expanded and improved — a move welcomed by institutions and tourism professionals as an important step toward a unified tourism market.

Republika Srpska’s Minister of Trade and Tourism, Denis Šulić, confirmed for Glas that the current voucher cycle will close on November 30. Once again, citizens showed great interest, using vouchers throughout the summer, autumn and early winter season. While spa and rehabilitation centres were the most sought-after destinations, many travellers also used vouchers to explore urban and mountain locations such as Banjaluka, Trebinje, Bijeljina and Jahorina.

“Citizens made full use of the opportunity to travel within the country at more affordable prices, which shows that the voucher program has proven to be a well-designed and widely accepted measure,” Šulić said.

He added that tourism vouchers are already included in the draft budget structure for next year and will continue under the same or a similar model, depending on final budget decisions.

“Our goal is to keep vouchers as a continuous activity of the ministry, because they have proven to be an important incentive for domestic tourism,” Šulić noted.

Regarding the new legislation, Šulić reminded that the draft tourism law already allows tourists from other countries to use vouchers — but strictly on the principle of reciprocity.

“This means that foreign citizens may use vouchers in Srpska only if their country offers the same opportunity to our citizens. Our primary aim is to connect Serbia and Srpska, considering that tourist flows between our two areas are already naturally linked,” he explained.

He added that Srpska has already ensured the legal basis for Serbian citizens to use vouchers in domestic tourism facilities. The next step is for Serbia to complete the technical preparations required to launch the program.

Šulić also highlighted that this initiative follows the conclusions of the All-Serbian Assembly, where both sides agreed to work toward opening and harmonising tourism programs.

The next cycle of tourism vouchers in Srpska could begin in spring, most likely in May. If the joint program becomes fully operational, citizens of Serbia would enjoy the same conditions as residents of Srpska — including the requirement that a voucher worth 100 KM can be used only if the tourist stays at least three nights in the same accommodation facility.

Vedrana Smiljić, head of the Banjaluka office of Smiljić Travel, said that expanding the program to Serbia would create new travel opportunities.

“Our citizens would certainly be more motivated to visit Serbia, especially its spas. This would mean a lot for tourism offerings and for people on both sides of the Drina,” she said, adding that the implementation should move quickly since many Serbian spa facilities are already booked for May and June.

Similar expectations were expressed by Dragana Sarić, sales manager at Hepi Travel in Bijeljina. She believes joint vouchers would increase travel in both directions, especially during long weekends.

“We organise trips to Sokobanja, Vrnjačka Banja and Banja Koviljača. We are currently wrapping up the voucher season in Srpska, and our final trip to Trebinje is scheduled for November 27,” Sarić noted.