WHEN DO WE GIFT TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO OUR LOVED ONES?

Spring weekend getaways are becoming increasingly popular among citizens of Republika Srpska, with many choosing to gift travel packages to friends and family instead of traditional presents. According to travel agencies, these offers sell out in no time.

The upcoming season is expected to bring the highest number of trips since the pandemic, with all-inclusive package deals gaining popularity. Jelena Josipović, a sales agent at "Happy Travel" in Bijeljina, told "Glas Srpske" that demand remains high throughout the spring.

"Our offer is diverse. We have bus trips to Italy, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, while flights to destinations such as Dubai, Barcelona, and Malta depart from Belgrade. Many of these programs are fully booked," Josipović stated.

She added that the agency is considering additional departures due to continued interest.

"The likely reason is that travel prices have remained largely unchanged. Additionally, demand for summer packages surged in January, encouraged by discounts," she noted.

Discounts for summer vacations range from 10% to 40%, depending on the destination.

"Traveling is in vogue. There are no rules anymore – both young and older residents of Srpska are booking trips. Weekend getaways are increasingly popular as birthday presents, wedding gifts, or anniversary surprises," Josipović highlighted.

Banja Luka-based travel agencies are also experiencing high demand. Vedrana Smiljić, head of the "Smiljić Travel" branch, said that Valentine's Day coincided with other events such as the Mimosa Festival in Herceg Novi and the Venice Carnival, boosting business.

"February is reserved for trips to Venice, Verona, Padua, the Montenegrin coast, and Hungary. From March onward, our offer expands. The most popular packages include one-night stays in Italian cities or Budapest, though Prague trips with two-night stays are also in high demand," Smiljić explained.

She added that the agency organizes multiple trips every weekend in March.

"For Women's Day, all trips are already booked. Since we have our own buses, we never cancel departures and adjust vehicle sizes based on the number of registered travelers," she emphasized, noting that online booking is also thriving.

Nataša Kuzmić, a sales agent at "Kontiki Travel," said interest in spring travel is growing as the season approaches.

"For Valentine's Day trips, flights depart from Belgrade, but we offer packages to various European cities, including Lisbon, Andalusia, Paris, Rome, and Valencia. These departures typically occur one or two days before the holiday," Kuzmić explained.

She added that corporate group trips are gaining traction for Women's Day.

"We had significant interest from groups of 30 to 40 women from a single company booking trips together. Our agency listens to customer preferences and tailors offers accordingly," Kuzmić said.

Slavica Lukić, manager of "Euro Travel" in Zvornik, stated that the agency primarily organizes bus trips across European cities but also offers flights, mainly for summer vacations.

"This year, Budapest, Prague, Tuscany, and Bled remain among the most sought-after destinations," Lukić concluded.