ŠULIĆ: INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO DECLARE KOZARA AIR SPA

PRIJEDOR, OCTOBER 15 /SRNA/ – The Minister of Trade and Tourism Denis Šulić has stated today that an initiative has been launched to declare Mount Kozara an air spa, noting that investments in accommodation facilities will follow.

Šulić also emphasized the great importance of the announced possibility for the Government of the Republika Srpska to purchase the “Monument” Hotel and therefore expand accommodation capacities. He expressed confidence that the initiative to declare the area of the National Park, as well as the entire mountain, an air spa, together with investments in additional accommodation facilities, will also encourage greater interest from the private sector to invest in this area. “The fact that we already have 100,000 visitors in a single year shows that there is clear potential for further tourism development here,” Šulić said. Today on Kozara, the minister met with representatives of local communities and institutions to discuss the organization of the upcoming winter season and planned activities for further development and promotion of this destination. He explained that discussions focused on the importance of investing in the national park, and that the Government’s decision aims to secure additional accommodation capacities, since tourists have often inquired about this. Šulić announced that within the next month another meeting will be held with representatives managing the ski resorts and the National Park, which will also include the management of the Olympic Center, to connect efforts and raise everything to a higher level. Prijedor Mayor Slobodan Javor said the meeting was constructive because it included mayors of neighboring municipalities and representatives of tourism organizations, allowing everyone to assess their contributions within their areas of responsibility and to demonstrate that Kozara is their shared priority. The talks also covered the potential of sports tourism, with Javor mentioning neglected facilities in Benkovac due to unresolved property issues. He expressed support for the Government’s initiative to purchase the “Monument” Hotel, as current accommodation capacities on Kozara are insufficient. Javor underlined that Kozara has tremendous potential throughout the year, particularly in winter when it serves as an attractive ski resort, noting also its many well-maintained hiking trails. He pointed out that the stairs leading to the monument are in very poor condition and said that all local communities surrounding Kozara expressed willingness to allocate funds to repair them as soon as possible. Božidar Nikoletić, Director of the “Kozara” National Park, thanked the participants for organizing the meeting, emphasizing that Kozara was once again recognized as a major asset worthy of continued investment.