G Adventures is set to expand its travel offerings with new community tourism trips in Bosnia and Herzegovina, launching in 2025.
- The initiative is supported by a collaboration between USAID Turizam, the Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council, and G Adventures.
- Yves Marceau emphasises the significance of responsible tourism development in the Balkans to benefit local communities.
- USAID/BiH and GTTRC highlight the long-term sustainability potential of this partnership.
- Representatives from G Adventures will explore new destinations to enhance travel itineraries.
G Adventures has announced a pivotal expansion with plans to offer a new series of community tourism trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025. This strategic move is a collaboration between the US government’s USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism initiative, the Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council, and G Adventures. Yves Marceau, vice-president of product at G Adventures, expressed the growing allure of the Balkans, stating, “The Balkans is a special part of the world that is growing in popularity as people move beyond traditional European destinations.”
The central thrust of this development is to create tourism that not only attracts more visitors but also supports and uplifts local communities. Marceau further emphasised the importance of fostering tourism that is mutually beneficial, saying, “Travel is a two-way exchange, and we’re excited to introduce our new trips in 2025.” He highlighted that the collaboration serves as an ideal scenario where rural and local communities benefit from synergistic efforts between governments, NGOs, and private enterprises.
USAID Turizam has committed to integrating G Adventures with local suppliers and service providers, enabling discussions for future innovations and press trips. Karl Wurster, director of the economic development office at USAID/BiH, underlined G Adventures’ commitment to community tourism to ensure sustainable growth. He stated, “What’s most impressive is G Adventures’ commitment to community tourism, which will ensure the long-term sustainability of tourism development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Furthermore, Laurie Myers, global strategist for GTTRC, endorsed the initiative noting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s emergence as a celebrated sustainable destination. “We are pleased to drive yet another partnership that showcases the power of tourism in the development of sustainable community tourism,” she remarked. She pointed out that such collaborations can serve as models for sustainable development elsewhere.
Ibrahim Osta, senior destination development advisor for USAID Turizam, hailed the initiative, describing it as a “testament to the power of sustainability and responsible business conduct for a thriving tourism sector underpinned by a people-centric approach.” As G Adventures continues to explore new destinations and services, the local tourism landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina is poised to undergo a significant transformation.
The introduction of G Adventures’ community tourism trips underscores a progressive shift towards sustainable and responsible travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
