Climate shift leads to an influx of summer tourists in Sarajevo's mountain ranges
In the heart of the Balkans, mountain resorts near Sarajevo are adapting to changing climates and reduced snowfall by expanding their summer offerings. This shift aims to attract tourists seeking relief from the Adriatic coast's summer heat and high costs, positioning these mountain destinations as cooler, more affordable alternatives to seaside vacations in Croatia and Montenegro.
According to visitor Dusko Kurtovic from Doboj, Bosnia, the weather in these mountain resorts is not excessively hot. The temperatures typically stay between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius (75-86 degrees Fahrenheit), providing a pleasant escape from the scorching heat of the coast.
Haris Fazlagic, the president of the Sarajevo tourism board, is spearheading this initiative. He believes expanding summer offerings can divert tourists from traditional seaside vacations along the Adriatic coast. Fazlagic sees increasing the area's year-round appeal as the future of tourism, but acknowledges it's a long-term strategy.
Mountain resorts like Jahorina and Bjelasnica, which hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, are at the forefront of this transformation. They now operate ski lifts year-round for scenic views and are steadily adding new hiking, biking, and ATV trails and tours. Vasilije Knezevic, who leads quad tours of Jahorina's highest peaks, has noted that they are "having a fabulous summer so far."
Business in the mountains of Sarajevo is growing, but it remains less profitable than seaside destinations in neighboring Croatia. However, Bosnia's tourism officials have noted a clear trend toward attracting summer tourists due to the country's mountainous terrain.
Meanwhile, Dubrovnik, a popular Adriatic seaside destination, continues to attract a large number of tourists despite extreme summer heat. Dubrovnik's tourism authorities are focused on managing crowds, limiting the number of tourists from cruise ships, and restricting traffic around the Old Town to local permit holders. Despite these measures, Dubrovnik recorded nearly two million overnight stays in the first seven months of 2025, almost double that of the Sarajevo region.
Both Bosnia and Croatia share a common objective to "extend the season" and become "year-round tourist destinations." Aida Hodzic of the Dubrovnik tourism board aims to make Dubrovnik a "year-round tourist destination," indicating a potential long-term competition between the two regions.
However, this is seen as a long-term strategy rather than an immediate competitor due to differences in elevation limiting winter snow and the current popularity gap between the regions. The mountains in Bosnia, traditionally, have altitudes below 2,500 meters (8,000 feet), making it challenging to rely on snow during the summer months. Jahorina and Bjelasnica, with elevations of 1,906 meters (6,253 feet) and 2,067 meters (6,781 feet) respectively, offer a unique blend of mountain and coastal experiences, setting them apart from traditional winter resorts.
This strategy impacts potential competition with Croatian and Montenegrin seaside resorts by offering an alternative climate and experience to hot coastal destinations. While Dubrovnik and similar Adriatic spots continue to see very high tourist numbers, the Sarajevo mountain resorts seek to "extend the season" and develop year-round appeal, which could gradually lure visitors who prefer cooler summer climates or want more varied activities.
In summary, the adaptation involves transforming traditional winter resorts into multi-season destinations with expanded summer activities to attract tourists from the coast and help stabilise the tourism economy despite climate challenges. This may, over time, reduce the dominance of Adriatic seaside tourism by drawing visitors seeking cooler, less expensive summer retreats.
- The Sarajevo mountain resorts, like Jahorina and Bjelasnica, are transforming into multi-season destinations, offering expanded summer activities to attract tourists and stabilize the tourism economy.
- Environmental-science experts are monitoring climate-change patterns to determine the impact on mountain resorts' seasonal offerings, such as skiing and snowboarding, and developing strategies for the future of these destinations.
- As the European arts community grows and evolves, some artists are incorporating elements of environmental-science and climate-change in their work, expressing concerns for the future of mountain resorts and the global environmental crisis.
- The Swiss business mogul, Ivo Schellenberg, who has investments in the travel industry, has expressed interest in exploring business opportunities in the Sarajevo mountain resorts, recognizing their potential for growth and adaptation in the face of climate-change and the demand for more environmentally-friendly travel options.
