Spring weekend getaways are becoming increasingly popular among citizens of Republika Srpska, with many choosing to gift travel packages to friends instead of traditional presents. As a result, available spots fill up quickly, according to travel agencies across Srpska.
Travel agencies predict that the upcoming season could see the highest number of trips since the start of the pandemic, with all-inclusive package deals gaining significant popularity.
Jelena Josipović, a sales agent at the Happy Travel agency in Bijeljina, told Glas Srpske that demand remains high throughout the spring.
“Our offer is diverse. We have bus trips to Italy, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, while destinations such as Dubai, Barcelona, and Malta are accessible via flights from Belgrade. Many of our tours are fully booked, and we no longer have available spots for several departures,” said Josipović.
She added that the agency is considering additional departures due to the overwhelming number of inquiries.
“This is likely due to stable travel prices, which have remained largely unchanged. Additionally, there has been significantly more interest in summer vacation packages compared to last year, thanks to discounted rates,” she explained.
Depending on the destination, summer travel discounts range from 10% to 40%.
“Travel is trendy now. There are no longer any rules—both young and older residents of Srpska are traveling equally. Weekend getaways are increasingly becoming birthday presents, and many people now choose to gift travel experiences for weddings or anniversaries,” Josipović noted.
Romantic and festive travel trends
Travel agencies in Banja Luka are experiencing similar demand. Vedrana Smiljić, head of the Smiljić Travel agency branch, pointed out that this year’s Valentine’s Day coincided with other events, such as the Mimosa Festival in Herceg Novi and the Venice Carnival, leading to increased bookings.
“February is dedicated to trips to Venice, Verona, Padua, the Montenegrin coast, and Hungary. From March onward, we offer an even broader selection. The most popular packages are those including one overnight stay in an Italian city or Budapest, while many travelers opt for a two-night stay in Prague,” Smiljić stated.
She added that in March, every weekend is packed with multiple trips.
“Regarding International Women’s Day, all tours are already fully booked. We never cancel a departure because we have our own buses, allowing us to adjust vehicle size based on the number of registered passengers,” she emphasized, highlighting the increasing role of online bookings.
Growing demand for corporate travel
Nataša Kuzmić, a sales agent at Kontiki Travel, noted that interest in spring trips is rising as the season approaches.
“Our flights for Valentine’s Day trips depart from Belgrade Airport. However, that hasn’t stopped us from offering travel options to all major European cities, including Lisbon, the Andalusian tour, Paris, Rome, Valencia, and more. Most departures are scheduled one or two days before Valentine’s Day,” Kuzmić said.
She also pointed out the increasing demand for corporate group travel.
“We’ve had numerous inquiries for group trips of 30 to 40 women from the same company. Our agency listens to customers’ wishes and organizes trips accordingly,” she explained.
Most sought-after destinations
Slavica Lukić, manager of the Euro Travel agency in Zvornik, stated that their primary focus is on bus tours across European cities, although they also offer air travel options, mostly for summer vacations.
“Budapest, Prague, Tuscany, and Bled remain our most popular destinations, as demand for these locations is consistently high,” Lukić said.
With travel now a preferred gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions, agencies are seeing unprecedented demand, making early reservations essential for those looking to surprise their loved ones with a memorable journey.
Source: See Srpska
