Presentation of latest achievements in tourism 

On 23-24 November 2018, a seminar entitled 'Transfer of knowledge for the purpose of developing tourist potentials of the Republic of Srpska' was held, with the first-day activities taking place on the premises of the Rectorate of the University of Banja Luka, gathering 30 participants. 

'This event is intended for those employed in the tourist industry, to get acquainted with the latest achievements and possible directions of development of tourist potentials', said Mr Predrag Govedarica, Senior Associate with the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of the University of Banja Luka.  

Ms Dragana Ristic, Assistant Minister of Trade and Tourism of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, said that transfer of knowledge into tourist potentials was a significant prerequisite for the development of tourism industry in the Republic of Srpska. 

'This way, we contribute to providing adequate training for the workforce in the industry, but also to developing strategies and promoting research activities, which present a valuable asset in terms of this economic branch', pointed out Ms Ristic. 

Prof. Goran Trbic, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Science of the University of Banja Luka, stressed out the importance of involvement of the academic community with these processes. 

'Policy-makers should listen to our recommendations, and work in synergy with other parties interested in the field', said Prof. Trbic as he addressed the audience on the topic of 'Climate changes and tourism', thus introducing this important issue, with emphasis on its repercussions  for the whole industry in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively.

The present were also addressed by Prof. Rajko Gnjato, PhD, of the Faculty of Science, Banja Luka, who provided a lecture entitled 'The role of tourism in planning and functional organisation of the area of the Republic of Srpska', and by Prof. Goran Latinovic, PhD, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research and Development of the University of Banja Luka.

On the second day, the participants moved to a hotel in the locality of Mrakovica (Mt Kozara), where issues related to strengthening the tourist industry within the scope of the economy of the Republic of Srpska were discussed, along with the historic role of the mountain and its tourist potentials. 

On this occasion, Ms Dragana Vujnic of the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining of the Government of the Republic of Srpska gave a lecture entitled 'The influence of the economy on the development of tourism in the Republic of Srpska', while Mr Predrag Govedarica, a history teacher, addressed the present by giving a lecture entitled 'The significance of historic tradition of Mt Kozara and its WWII monuments for tourist offer of this part of the Republic of Srpska'. 

The seminar was organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of the University of Banja Luka, with financial support of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of the Government of the Republic of Srpska.