LocationsTravelShift
Youth Ideas for a More Sustainable Tourism Future in Bosnia and Herzegovina
September 28, 2026
Imrana Kapetanović
Three youth-led ideas combining cultural heritage, artificial intelligence and more accessible travel experiences were awarded at the final event of “TravelShift: Youth Innovation Hub for Sustainable Tourism”, an innovation challenge supported by UNDP and partners.
Ten finalists presented their ideas to a jury at the United Nations building in Sarajevo, offering their vision of a tourism sector that protects natural and cultural heritage, harnesses new technologies and creates opportunities for local communities.
First place and an individual award of BAM 2,500 went to Lamija Sarić for “Sevdah Passport”. The idea connects traditional sevdalinka songs with the places and stories they preserve, turning cultural heritage into an opportunity to travel, discover lesser-known destinations and experience local communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Second place and a team award of BAM 3,000 went to IntegratingMe – Lejla Garić, Adna Tuzlak and Selma Meholjić – for “VocaTour – Smart Audio Guide”. Their solution uses artificial intelligence to create personalized travel routes and location-based stories, offering visitors a modern and accessible way to discover both well-known and less visible tourism sites.
Third place and a team award of BAM 2,000 went to Danis Sijamija and Edin Manjušak for “Inclusive Bosnia”. Their solution enables persons with disabilities and other travellers for whom accessibility information is important to check in advance how well tourism, cultural and natural sites meet their needs.
Imrana Kapetanović
More than a destination
Tourism connects many dimensions of sustainable development – from protecting nature and cultural heritage to strengthening local economies, creating jobs, embracing digital technologies and advancing inclusion. This broader perspective was at the heart of the TravelShift challenge.
“Tourism is about much more than travel and destinations. It connects natural and cultural heritage, local economies, technology, jobs and the quality of life in communities. Its future must therefore be sustainable – protecting what makes Bosnia and Herzegovina unique while creating new opportunities for people. The ideas presented through TravelShift show how many different solutions can emerge when we take a broader view of tourism and mobilize the creativity of young people,”
said Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative.
TravelShift was launched to give young people space to develop and test their own responses to contemporary challenges in tourism. The public call attracted 22 applications, with 13 selected to move forward to a mentoring workshop in Teslić. Working with mentors, participants developed their initial concepts, explored their relevance and potential, and turned them into more concrete solutions. Ten finalists then presented their ideas at the final Live Pitch event in Sarajevo.
Imrana Kapetanović
From cultural heritage and artificial intelligence to accessibility, the ideas developed through TravelShift demonstrated different ways innovation can contribute to tourism that creates value for visitors, local communities and destinations while promoting more responsible use of natural and cultural resources.
The TravelShift challenge offered a total prize fund of up to BAM 9,000, with the awards recognizing the quality and potential of the proposed ideas.
TravelShift is jointly supported through the “Sustainability of Protected Areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SPA)” project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP; “Dialogue for the Future 3 (DFF3)”, funded by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented by UNDP, UNESCO and UNICEF; and the “Sustainable Tourism for Green Development along Via Dinarica Trails in Bosnia and Herzegovina” project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented and co-funded by UNDP.
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