In the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton, agreements on subsidies for tourism infrastructure and superstructure projects in 2025 were signed today with seven cities and municipalities, 12 local communities and 10 associations from the ZDK area in the amount of 1,168,469.12 KM. This year, the ZDK government allocated almost 1.2 million KM for the development of tourism, and the entire canton recorded an increase in the number of overnight stays by almost 50 percent.
– This convocation of the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton already at the beginning of the mandate recognized tourism as one of the development opportunities. The first step we took was to restart the ZDK Tourist Board. Immediately after that, we set out to create the conditions for the accelerated development of tourism. This year, we set aside a record amount of subsidies for tourism infrastructure and superstructure projects in 2025 – about 1.2 million KM. As a result, we have an increase in the number of overnight stays by foreign tourists in ZDK in 2025 by as much as 48.5%. The measures of the Government, the relevant ministry and the Tourist Board, as well as these investments, certainly contributed to these results – said the Prime Minister of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nezir Pivić.
Through its actions, the government wants to point out the importance of investing in tourist infrastructure in order to enrich the tourist offer. At the same time, the Government is trying to promote tourism potentials and resources, and the ZDK Tourist Board had, for example, a significant performance at the Tourism Fair in Izmir last week.
– In Izmir, we received encouraging messages regarding the development of tourism and the arrival of tourists from the Republic of Turkey to Bosnia and Herzegovina and our canton. Through these projects, we have the opportunity to strengthen the offer of tourist potential in the ZDK area – said Prime Minister Pivić.
ZDK Minister of Economy Samir Šibonjić emphasized that they are trying to continuously improve the tourist offer in the Zenica-Doboj Canton and create conditions for the long-term development of this sector.
– We continue with investments and support because we want the Zenica-Doboj Canton to become a recognizable destination for both local and foreign tourists. These funds and projects represent a concrete step towards the modernization and expansion of the tourist offer, as well as support for local communities in the development of economic and tourist potential – said the Minister of Economy of the ZDK, Samir Šibonjić.
The signing of the contract was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Dženana Čišija, who congratulated the signatories, stressing that the projects are of higher quality every year and significantly contribute to the quality of tourism infrastructure in this canton.
The Municipality of Olovo signed a contract regarding support in the Bušotina thermal water project.
– We are drilling a thermal water well at 475 meters with the assumption of obtaining 125 liters of water per second. This should improve or expand spa facilities. It is planned that the capacity will be increased by 200 beds. This is a large amount of water, and our spa can also use it for drinking. We have a concession of about 60,000 KM for 6 liters of water that is now being used by Spa Aquaterm, and we think that we should now pay between 300 and 400 thousand marks. I think this is a generational project for Olovo, for the Zenica-Doboj canton and for our country Bosnia and Herzegovina – pointed out the head of Olovo Municipality Đemal Memagić.
The mayor of Zavidovići, Erna Merdić – Smailhodžić, thanked the cantonal government headed by Prime Minister Pivić and Minister of Economy Šibonjić, who supported a very important project for the city of Zavidovići – the construction of a children’s park in the very center of the city.
– Unfortunately, Zavidovići did not have such content until now. We received 200,000 KM for this project, which is the maximum amount that could be allocated to municipalities and cities. When we take into account the funds allocated to local communities and associations, the total funds allocated to the town of Zavidovići exceed 300,000 KM – said Erna Merdić – Smailhodžić.
Maksuma Topalović, executive director of the Association “Alternativa” from Kakanj, which received 20,000 KM for the project, said that this means a lot to them and that it is very important to continue what they started, to promote everything that has been done and to all contribute to the development of tourism in the Zenica-Doboj canton.
