A new phase in the development of tourism in Republika Srpska has begun with the official opening of the ski resort “Igrišta” near Vlasenica, which is back in operation after forty years. This tourist destination marks a significant milestone in the advancement of tourism in Republika Srpska, according to President Milorad Dodik, who spoke at the opening of “Igrišta.” The reconstruction of the ski resort has seen an investment of 36 million BAM, with the Government of Republika Srpska planning continued investment in this tourist complex.
After two years of intensive work on refurbishing the ski resort “Igrišta,” the facility has now opened its doors to all skiing and winter sports enthusiasts. The modernized slopes are designed to cater to all age groups. The resort features a six-seater chairlift and children’s playgrounds, making it an attractive destination for all visitors of the Olympic ski center.
“In the next phase, we need to focus on accommodation capacities so that all skiers can be comfortably housed. We will ensure that any investor who comes to build uses natural materials, making this the best place in the world,” said Dejan Ljevnaić, director of the Olympic Ski Center Jahorina.
Nedeljko Elek, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the ski resort “Igrišta,” emphasized the need to integrate the region’s tourist offerings, a process that has already begun.
“We have integrated Jahorina, Igrišta, and Andrićgrad. What we still lack are skilled personnel and the opening of a Faculty of Tourism,” Elek added.
The ski resort is expected to become an economic driver not only for Vlasenica but for the entire region. The ski center will feature three slopes for night skiing, and after the winter season, summer activities are planned. The local authorities, according to the mayor of Vlasenica, plan to develop around 20 hotels and vacation villages in the area.
“This is a jewel, a gem, the most powerful economic entity in Republika Srpska. It will be the largest employer in the region, revitalizing villages and towns. Our goal is to connect Serbia, Srpska, Banja Luka, Trebinje, and all of beautiful Herzegovina, everything that is Serbian,” said Miroslav Kraljević, mayor of Vlasenica.
In a month, the opening of the Belgrade-Loznica highway is expected, which will make this ski resort the closest link to Serbia. The same path of connection with the Olympic Center continues in Srpska, says Prime Minister Radovan Višković. The ski resort represents the future of the entire Republika Srpska.
“We continue from Zvornik, moving towards Podromanija in East Sarajevo. On the other side, Višegrad connects to Podromanija, and we continue all the way to Trebinje, Herzegovina. The Government of Srpska ensures that development is evenly distributed from Trebinje to Novi Grad,” said Radovan Višković, Prime Minister of Republika Srpska.
An artificial lake with a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters is also being constructed on the same site. President Milorad Dodik visited the construction site and announced further investments.
“We must continue, and this is not the end. From here, we move forward. It will be interesting to watch how hotels and vacation villages are built here, and there are already interested investors. However, none of them wanted to invest until this complex was built. This is the lifeblood of the entire center; without it, nothing else would follow,” said Dodik.
The ski resort “Igrišta” is located along the main road Vlasenica-Han Pijesak. It was built during the Sarajevo Winter Olympics in 1984 as an auxiliary ski center. Last year, the Government of Republika Srpska decided that this center would be under the management of the Olympic Center Jahorina for a period of 30 years without charge. The opening of this ski resort is expected to create around two thousand new jobs.
Source: RTRS
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