Bosnia tourism workers want EU border opened

Hundreds of Bosnian tourism industry workers turned out to protest at Mostar's famous Old Bridge on Thursday over the government's ban on EU visitors to the country.

The demonstrators gathered at one of Bosnia's most recognised landmarks to send the message thousands of people will be left jobless if the country's borders are not opened to EU citizens.

So far, Bosnia has allowed only Western Balkan regional tourists to come in, such as the ones from Serbia, Croatia or Montenegro, following lockdowns to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

But both Mostar restaurant owner Haris Kolicic and tourist agency owner Miran Hasibovic said this was not enough for their businesses to be viable.

Bosnia's tourism industry accounts for some 7% of its annual GDP, with high numbers of visitors from countries such as Austria, Germany, Italy essential in keeping the economy running.

But Austria this week has advised its residents against travel to six Western Balkan nations, including Bosnia, in view of a resurgent rise in coronavirus cases in the region.

Many other EU countries are yet to announce their plans to allow free travel outside of the bloc.

As of Thursday Bosnia had reported more than 4,600 virus infections, with daily case tolls generally higher in the past two weeks than in March or April.