Tourists’ Security: The Need for Tourism Police in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This paper aims to show the necessity of tourism police for tourism destinations, give some knowledge about the relationship between tourism and tourism security and present some practical recommendations on tourism police for Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is accepted that tourism is a vital revenue source for many countries. It is also a fast-growing sector making up an important part in the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, too. It is also accepted that tourists are affected by the perception of safety and security at the destinations. Studies made on tourism indicate that safety and security is a factor of growing importance in choosing the destination and having a peaceful holiday at destinations. In addition, safety and security is considered to be a pillar of tourism competitiveness with ‘reliability of police services’ a central anchor in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. Without doubt, safety and security will sell the tourism in the near future. Thus, it is believed that “Tourism Police” may help create the destination image and market the tourism. For this purpose, the Tourism Police should be set up in order to provide security to the tourists visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina as any investments in tourism policing could be an investment in the economic future of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this regard, some practical recommendations will be put forward for improving police protection of tourists in Bosnia and Herzegovina.