prijava
SARAJEVO, September 6 (FENA) - Italian Ambassador to BiH, Nicola Minasi and Peter Cronin, Director of the Democracy Office at the USAID have joined a voluntary action of maintaining the trail on Čvrsnica mountain within Via Dinarica Project, organized by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), together with the members of Croatian Mountaineering Association Prenj 1933 from Mostar and Mountaineering Association Plasa from Jablanica.
Via Dinarica is an adventure-hiking route with three main trails (white, green and blue) that stretches along the Western Balkans. Its goal is to connect the countries and communities of the Dinaric Alps by creating a unique and diverse tourist offer.
The Via Dinarica concept promotes active tourism in nature and offers exceptional content to domestic visitors at a time of drastic decline in tourism revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore, the Via Dinarica project is recognized as a significant contribution to sustainable economic development, while preserving the environment and respecting the socio-cultural diversity and authenticity of communities. As a nature-based tourism initiative, Via Dinarica offers visitors the opportunity to spend their free time in a healthy environment where it is possible to maintain physical distance and at the same time visit interesting natural, cultural and historical tourism sites, UNDP stated.
The Italian Ambassador to BiH, Nicola Minasi, regularly participates and supports all volunteer actions on Via Dinarica, which include beneficial social work and environmental protection.
"Via Dinarica offers a natural and healthy environment, which is needed more than ever. Therefore, it is important to preserve and maintain everything that nature so generously gives to us," he said.
Also, USAID representatives, including Peter Cronin, Director of the Democracy Office at the USAID, supported this action by maintaining the trail.
"I am glad to be able to enjoy this beautiful, natural environment today and contribute to maintaining the Via Dinarica trail. This is a practical example of how you can spend your free time safely in a unique and attractive tourist spot and at the same time support development opportunities for local businesses on Via Dinarica trails," stated Cronin.
In this way, the volunteers contributed to a safe and complete experience of the natural environment near Mostar and Jablanica, which hikers, excursionists and tourists like to visit.
Mountain Čvrsnica abounds in hiking trails and roads, and volunteers from all mountaineering associations, which carry out activities on the mountain, are constantly working on their marking and maintenance. Everyone is welcome to join them in the continuation of their regular mountaineering actions and excursions throughout the year.
Via Dinarica improves the opportunities for economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina by encouraging the sustainable development of nature tourism. Via Dinarica connects cities and rural communities in the region, raises awareness of good business practice and environmental protection and develops a tourist offer based on unique natural beauties, traditional products and cultural and historical heritage.
Recognizing the potential of the initiative, the Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS) and USAID, together with partners - the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of Republika Srpska and the FBiH Ministry of Environment and Tourism, decided to support the implementation of Via Dinarica project, UNDP said in the statement.
(FENA) A. B.
