Mostar hosts the international UNESCO conference
On April 27 and 28, 2026, an international conference entitled "UNESCO Creative and World Heritage Cities: Towards Integrated Strategies for Sustainable Cultural Tourism Management" was successfully held in Mostar, organized UNESCO-a, City of Mostar and the Tourist Board of the City of Mostar, with financial support European Union.
The conference was held at the Mepas Hotel and brought together numerous domestic and international experts, representatives of institutions and organizations operating in the field of tourism and cultural heritage protection. During the two-day program, key issues of sustainable management of cultural tourism were discussed, with a special emphasis on the role of UNESCO designations in the development of destinations, the challenges of tourist pressures on historic cores and the importance of preserving the quality of life of the local population.
Special attention was also paid to the opportunities brought by digital innovations and artificial intelligence in the development of smart UNESCO cities, as well as the need to better align tourism development with the preservation of cultural and historical heritage.
The conference confirmed that Mostar is experiencing continuous growth in tourism, but that this development requires a strategic approach, quality planning and a stronger institutional framework. The importance of the availability of reliable data in tourism was highlighted, as well as the need for greater involvement of experts and the local community in decision-making processes.
The event also served as a platform for the exchange of experiences and good practices between World Heritage Cities and Creative Cities, with the aim of strengthening regional and international cooperation and launching new joint initiatives.
It was concluded that sustainable tourism management remains one of the key challenges, but also an opportunity for the further development of Mostar as a recognizable and responsible tourist destination.
