In 2024, the protected landscape of Vjetrenica – Popovo Field was visited by nearly 20,000 visitors, the majority of whom came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, neighboring countries, as well as from France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, said Davor Baković, director of the Public Company Vjetrenica, in an interview with FENA. He emphasized that visitor statistics are processed quarterly, so the exact data for the first three months is not yet available, but he is pleased to see that the pre-season is linked to international visitors, which contributes to the goal of reducing seasonality and developing year-round content, as reported by Večernji.ba.
“We want to expand the tourism offer across the entire area of the Vjetrenica – Popovo Field Protected Landscape, which covers 4,700 hectares. Key priorities include improving the existing infrastructure, building educational walking trails, an eco-friendly children's playground, and developing outdoor educational tours, so visitors can learn about the cultural and historical heritage, flora, and fauna of the protected area,” said Baković.
He added that all activities are conducted in accordance with the Management Plan, with the goal of permanently preserving the site and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Baković emphasized that the inclusion of the Vjetrenica cave on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a historic moment not only for Vjetrenica but also for all of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This recognition confirms the exceptional value of Vjetrenica as a speleological phenomenon of global importance, especially in terms of underground biodiversity. This gives us an additional incentive for the permanent protection of the cave and stronger cooperation with international scientific communities that focus on researching and preserving cave ecosystems,” he said.
He stressed that it is crucial for tourism development not to be based on mass visits, but rather on sustainable and selective tourism, in line with international recommendations and strategic documents.
Current Tourism Offer and Future Plans
Baković reminded that the current tourism offer includes a tour of the cave, which is approximately 700 meters long from the entrance, guided by a speleologist, where visitors can learn about the development of a speleological object and underground biodiversity.
“In addition, the Vjetrenica Biospeleological Museum offers a synthesis of all knowledge about the cave from the 19th century to the present day through thematic sections. The Vjetrenica Info-Educational Center is a place where you can explore the cave and Popovo Field through VR content and look into parts of the cave that are not open to the public. The Ćiro Bicycle Trail, which passes through Zavale, where the cave is located, offers an unforgettable experience through cycling tourism, where visitors can also discover the rich cultural and historical heritage of the area,” Baković said.
He added that the development of outdoor activities and selective forms of tourism will continue in the future to provide visitors with an educational and authentic experience, while ensuring the preservation of this unique ecosystem.
Vjetrenica – One of the Richest Cave Habitats in the World
Vjetrenica Cave, located on the western edge of Popovo Field in the village of Zavala, in the municipality of Ravno, is one of the richest underground habitats in the world, with nearly 200 recorded animal species, 92 of which are troglobionts – organisms adapted exclusively to life in the underground.
The underground habitats of Vjetrenica include cave channels, cracks, and underground waters, with stable living conditions – a constant air temperature of 11.4°C and maximum humidity. A distinctive feature of Vjetrenica is the strong air current, known as the "wind," which is caused by the difference between the internal and external temperatures. Vjetrenica Cave is considered one of the world leaders in terms of underground biodiversity.
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