Serbia and More Countries with Bosnia and Herzegovina Welcomes Global Tourism Experts to Sarajevo for 12th International Tourism and Hospitality Management Congress

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Serbia and more countries join Bosnia and Herzegovina as Sarajevo welcomes global tourism experts to the 12th International Tourism and Hospitality Management Congress, taking place from 21 to 25 October 2026. The event brings together academics, researchers and industry professionals to explore sustainable tourism, hospitality innovation and destination development.

Sarajevo takes centre stage as ITHMC 2026 brings tourism and hospitality leaders together from 21 to 25 October. Hosted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the international congress will connect researchers, industry professionals and academics to discuss sustainable tourism, destination management, hospitality innovation and opportunities shaping the future of global travel.

Sarajevo Prepares to Host International Tourism Congress

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is preparing to welcome the 12th International Tourism and Hospitality Management Congress (ITHMC 2026) from 21 to 25 October 2026.

The five-day event will provide a platform for academics, tourism researchers, hospitality professionals and industry representatives to exchange knowledge about developments affecting the global visitor economy.

Hosted by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, the congress will combine academic presentations with professional discussions and cultural activities.

Its programme will explore how destinations can develop tourism responsibly, strengthen hospitality management and respond to changing visitor expectations.

The event will also highlight Sarajevo’s role as a destination for international conferences and professional meetings.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Strengthens Its Position in Business Tourism

The congress offers Bosnia and Herzegovina an opportunity to demonstrate its potential as a destination for business events, academic conferences and professional gatherings.

Sarajevo combines historical attractions, cultural diversity and established visitor infrastructure. Its heritage reflects centuries of interaction between different communities, making the city particularly relevant to discussions about cultural tourism and destination identity.

International conferences can support local hospitality businesses through demand for accommodation, restaurants, transport and visitor services.

For Sarajevo, ITHMC 2026 also provides an opportunity to introduce delegates to attractions beyond traditional meeting venues.

Participants will be able to experience the city’s cultural heritage while discussing how tourism can support sustainable economic development.

However, the congress organisers have not published a verified forecast of visitor spending or economic impact associated with the event.

University of Sarajevo Leads Academic and Industry Engagement

The University of Sarajevo plays a central role in organising ITHMC 2026.

Through its Faculty of Science and Department of Geography, the institution will support discussions connecting tourism research with practical industry challenges.

The congress is designed to encourage knowledge exchange between universities, researchers and tourism practitioners.

Zenith Travel Investment D.O.O., based in Sarajevo, is also identified in the official congress information as a contact and coordination organisation.

The published speaker information includes Professor Aleksandar Valjarević, affiliated with the University of Belgrade in Serbia.

These institutional connections demonstrate the congress’s academic and regional engagement. However, the organisers have not released a complete verified list of participating countries or commercial exhibitors.

Sustainable Tourism and Destination Management Take Priority

Sustainable tourism is among the important subjects included in the congress’s academic themes.

Destinations worldwide are examining how tourism growth can be balanced with environmental protection, cultural preservation and the needs of local communities.

ITHMC 2026 will provide opportunities to explore these issues through research and professional discussion.

Destination marketing and management will also feature in the programme, alongside tourism planning and regional development.

These subjects are relevant to tourism authorities seeking to attract visitors while protecting the qualities that make destinations distinctive.

Urban tourism and cultural heritage will receive attention, reflecting the importance of historic cities such as Sarajevo in international travel.

The discussions can help participants examine how tourism strategies may be adapted to different destinations and economic conditions.

Hospitality Innovation and Tourism Entrepreneurship Enter the Discussion

Hospitality management and marketing form another important part of the congress’s research agenda.

Hotels and tourism businesses face changing consumer preferences, operational challenges and growing expectations surrounding service quality.

The congress will examine these subjects through academic contributions and industry perspectives.

Tourism entrepreneurship will also be discussed, offering opportunities to consider how smaller businesses can participate in destination development.

Additional themes include gastronomic tourism, geographical information systems and emerging visitor experiences.

Film tourism, event tourism and dark tourism are among the specialised subjects identified in the congress’s wider thematic programme.

Together, these topics demonstrate the variety of activities now influencing tourism planning and hospitality management.

Five-Day Programme Combines Research and Cultural Experiences

The official congress programme begins on 21 October with airport transfers and a city tour.

Formal proceedings are scheduled for 22 October, including registration, opening addresses, invited speakers and academic sessions.

Further presentations will take place on 23 October, followed by a gala dinner.

The programme includes cultural and social activities on 24 October, while departures are scheduled for 25 October.

The organisers have also identified excursion opportunities connected with Sarajevo and other destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

These include the Tunnel of Hope and places such as Mostar, Blagaj, Počitelj and Konjic.

Such experiences provide visiting delegates with an opportunity to understand the country’s tourism attractions beyond the conference programme.

International Participation Creates Opportunities for Tourism Networking

ITHMC 2026 is intended to encourage international academic and professional participation.

Its hybrid format will allow contributions through both physical attendance and online participation.

This arrangement can make the congress accessible to researchers and professionals who cannot travel to Sarajevo.

Although tourism agencies, hospitality businesses and other industry stakeholders are among the intended audiences, a verified company-by-company exhibitor directory has not been publicly identified.

The congress should therefore be described primarily as an academic and professional gathering rather than a conventional tourism trade exhibition.

For participants, its value lies in research exchange, professional networking and opportunities to explore cooperation across tourism and hospitality disciplines.

Sarajevo Highlights the Connection Between Tourism, Culture and Education

Hosting ITHMC 2026 will bring together several aspects of Sarajevo’s visitor economy.

The congress combines education, professional networking and cultural exploration within one international programme.

For tourism researchers, it offers a setting to present findings and exchange ideas. For hospitality professionals, it provides opportunities to examine industry developments and learn from academic work.

For Sarajevo, the gathering offers another occasion to showcase its heritage, visitor experiences and capacity to accommodate international events.

The 12th International Tourism and Hospitality Management Congress highlights Sarajevo’s growing role in international tourism dialogue. Through research presentations, professional discussions and cross-border academic engagement, the gathering aims to strengthen knowledge sharing and encourage responsible tourism development, while positioning Bosnia and Herzegovina as a destination for global industry collaboration.