GEOTOURISM IN BOSNIA AND HERZGOVINA - STATE AND DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Geodiversity presents overall diversity of relief shapes, processes and the diversity of landscape. It basically consists of geological, geomorphological and pedological diversity. The most interesting for tourism valorisation are karstic areas that cover over 50% of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. When it comes to geoparks, it is necessary to emphasize that such forms of protection have not yet been established in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Geopark Network exsist since 2000 and currently there are 140 geoparks in the 38 countries in Europe. Three geoparks stand out in our region; in Slovenia, Idrija and Karavanke (together with part in Austria) and Papuk in Croatia. Their main goals are promotion of geoheritage, protection of geodiversity and support of economic development through geotourism, with the inevitable participation of local communities. In the meantime, this initiative has been raised to a global level by including these areas in the newly adopted UNESCO program - International Geodetic and Geopark Program, which now has over 130 parks in 33 countries of the world. In our country, Blidinje Nature Park and the Protected landscape of Bijambare, have potential for becoming geopark. These parks would be based on promotion of the geological heritage, the geodiversity of the karst zone of Bosnia and Herzegovina, preservation of biodiversity and the protection of specific karst hydrography of this area. The plan for protecting these areas and potential admission to the European geopark network should primarily be based on a new legal framework and a plan that would include sustainable development of geotourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.