TTG Travel Experience: Italy’s Premier B2B Travel Event
The TTG Travel Experience in Rimini is Italy’s leading B2B trade show for the promotion of global tourism. Now in its 62nd edition, TTG 2025 (October 8–10, 2025) will gather tourism boards, tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, and industry professionals from around the world at the Rimini Expo Centre. Over three days, attendees exchange insights on travel trends, forge partnerships, and participate in seminars and workshops shaping the future of tourism. For Fortuna Tours – a leading Destination Management Company from Bosnia and Herzegovina – TTG Rimini provides an ideal platform to showcase the Balkan region’s offerings and connect with the Italian travel market.
Why the Italian Market Matters for Bosnia and the Balkans
Italy represents a strategic outbound tourism market for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Balkan neighbors. With a large population of enthusiastic travelers, Italy has become a vital source of visitors across Southeast Europe. Italy’s government is actively strengthening tourism ties with the Western Balkans; at a 2025 Italy-Balkans forum in Rome, Italy’s tourism minister Daniela Santanchè emphasized that cooperation with Balkan countries is an “absolute priority” as the region serves as a historic crossroads of cultures. Initiatives are underway to integrate promotions and even develop religious tourism routes connecting Italy with Balkan pilgrimage sites.
Over 26,600 Italians visited Bosnia in 2023 (up ~19% year-on-year), and Italy now ranks among the top ten source countries for Bosnia’s foreign overnight stays. Clearly, the Italian market is both growing and strategically important for Balkan tourism.
Fortuna Tours – A Leading DMC Showcasing Bosnia & Herzegovina
Fortuna Tours is uniquely positioned to capitalize on these trends as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leading tour operator and DMC (Destination Management Company). Founded in 1989, Fortuna Tours has grown into the country’s premier inbound agency, serving travelers across Bosnia amd Herzegovina and the broader region. Headquartered in the historic city of Mostar, the company delivers tailor-made tours, group travel, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) services, and on-the-ground logistics throughout Bosnia amd Herzegovina and the Balkans. Backed by decades of experience and deep local knowledge, Fortuna Tours has earned a reputation as a trusted partner for international tour operators and travel planners.
At TTG Rimini 2025, Fortuna Tours will be highlighting its diverse portfolio – tailored to the interests of Italian travelers – and reinforcing its role as a gateway to Bosnia amd Herzegovina and the surrounding region. Key offerings include:
• Cultural & Heritage Tours
Authentic itineraries showcasing UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cultural gems. Italian visitors can explore Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian heritage in Sarajevo and the iconic Old Bridge of Mostar, enjoy traditional cuisine and fine wines, and connect with local communities.
• Incentive Travel & Corporate Events
Full-service support for MICE groups – from team-building adventures in nature to gala dinners in historic venues. Fortuna’s “Where Business Meets Culture” approach blends professional event management with authentic local flair. Italian corporate clients have already benefited from this expertise through multi-day programs in Bosnia amd Herzegovina that combined conference sessions with rafting excursions and wine tastings – a formula that has consistently received excellent feedback.
• Adventure & Outdoor Activities
Tailor-made excursions for active travelers: rafting down the emerald Neretva River, hiking through pristine national parks, wild horse safaris in Livno, or skiing in the Dinaric Alps. The country’s natural beauty and adrenaline-filled experiences are a strong draw for Italy’s growing adventure tourism segment. With certified guides and customizable outdoor programs, Fortuna ensures Italian guests can safely enjoy the thrills of the Balkans’ great outdoors.
• Religious Pilgrimages
Expertly managed faith-based tours, most notably to the world-famous Marian shrine of Medjugorje. This small Herzegovinian town is one of the most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites, and Italians traditionally represent the largest group of visitors. With decades of experience, Fortuna Tours provides Italian pilgrims with reliable ground services, Italian-speaking guides, and meaningful spiritual journeys that extend to other regional Catholic sites.
• Regional & Multi-Country Balkan Journeys
Beyond Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fortuna Tours offers Italian travelers seamless access to regional Balkan tours through its extensive partner network. Leveraging its strong regional connections, Fortuna ensures smooth logistics, cultural depth, and excellent value – enabling Italian travelers to experience the Balkans as a connected and diverse destination.
By showcasing these niches, Fortuna Tours aims to demonstrate its flexibility and breadth as a DMC. Whether it’s a bespoke luxury journey for a couple or a 200-person tour series, the company prides itself on delivering “flawless execution” and creative itineraries molded to the client’s needs. For Italian B2B partners – travel agencies, tour operators, church groups, and companies – this adaptability translates into confidence that their programs will exceed expectations.
Q&A with Selma Dizdar – Italian Market Specialist, Fortuna Tours
To gain deeper insight into Fortuna Tours’ focus on Italy, we spoke with Selma Dizdar, the senior manager overseeing the Italian market. Selma will be representing Fortuna Tours at TTG Travel Experience 2025 at Hall C1 stand nr. 326.. She shares her strategic perspective on working with Italian partners and discusses Fortuna’s strengths, offerings, and outlook in the current European travel climate.
Q: Italy has become a key market for Bosnia amd Herzegovina and for Fortuna Tours. Why is the Italian market so important, and how do you approach working with Italian travel partners?
A: The Italian market is close to our heart – not just geographically, but culturally. Italians have a genuine curiosity about the Balkans’ history, food, and natural beauty, so there is huge potential. Strategically, Italy is one of Europe’s biggest outbound tourism sources, so engaging the Italian travel trade can significantly boost arrivals to Bosnia amd Herzegovina and our region. We approach it by speaking our clients’ language – literally and figuratively. By aligning our products with their preferences, and by providing Italian-language support at every stage, we make Italian guests feel at home even when they’re discovering a new destination. Our partnerships in Italy are built on trust and communication; we visit our partners in Italy, attend fairs like TTG, and invite Italian agents to Bosnia for familiarization trips. It’s about building a two-way street of understanding. When Italian operators see that we “get” their clients, it reinforces confidence that Bosnia and Herzegovina is an accessible and rewarding destination to market.
Q: What would you say are Fortuna Tours’ biggest strengths as a B2B partner, especially for Italian agencies and tour operators?
A: One major strength is our 30+ years of experience – we’ve been operating since 1989, so we have deep roots and know how to solve problems on the ground. Italian partners often comment on our reliability. They know that when they hand a group over to us, we will take care of every detail with professionalism. We’re also very agile and flexible as a DMC. The travel industry is dynamic – itineraries change, flights get delayed, clients make last-minute requests – and we’ve structured our team to react quickly. For example, if an Italian partner needs to add an unplanned stop for a VIP client or adjust a hotel at midnight, our operations staff is on call 24/7 to handle it. I think that responsiveness is a key asset in B2B relationships. Another strength is customization. We don’t offer off-the-shelf generic packages to our partners unless they want them. Instead, we collaborate to tailor every program to the partner’s brand and the interests of their customers. If a travel agent in Milan comes to us with an idea for an art-focused tour of Balkans, we’ll craft a detailed proposal from scratch – maybe including an art gallery meet-and-greet in Sarajevo or a private atelier visit – whatever gives their package a unique touch. Our size is also an advantage: we’re big enough to have a solid infrastructure (vehicle fleet, multilingual guides across the country, strong supplier networks). Italian partners work with Fortuna Tours, they have a dedicated point of contact (often me or one of my team), and we build a genuine relationship. They appreciate that continuity and personal care, which isn’t always the case with larger DMCs. Lastly, I’ll mention value for money – Bosnia and Herzgovina is still very competitively priced, and we leverage our local connections to secure great rates for our partners, ensuring they can create attractive packages with healthy margins. All of these strengths – experience, reliability, flexibility, customization, and value – contribute to very strong B2B partnerships. We’re proud that many Italian operators we work with have been returning to us season after season.
Q: Fortuna Tours offers a wide range of products. What are some key offerings or success stories that would appeal to Italian travelers and partners?
A: Indeed, our portfolio is quite broad, which allows us to cater to many niches of Italian tourism. To highlight a few offerings: Cultural and heritage tours are a cornerstone – Italians love history and gastronomy, so we have classic programs like an “Autentica Bosnia ed Erzegovina” or or wine and culinary tours in Herzegovina like “In viaggio nel tempo attraverso il vino“. We also run multi-country Balkans circuits – for instance, ” “Il grande viaggio nei Balcani” covering Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro’ which some of our Italian partners sell as an off-the-beaten-path alternative to the usual Western Europe coach tour. Another area is religious tourism. As you know, Medjugorje has long been a major destination for Italian pilgrims, and for several decades we have been organizing and welcoming large pilgrimage groups, dating back to the very beginnings of Medjugorje as a pilgrimage site
Q: Looking at the current European travel climate, what challenges and opportunities do you see when it comes to attracting Italian visitors to Bosnia and Herzgovina and the Balkans?
A: The European travel climate is very dynamic right now. Demand is strong, and Italians are eager to explore new destinations beyond the classic Paris or London. This is a big opportunity for the Balkans since Bosnia and Herzegovina offers equally stunning scenery, authentic culture, and excellent value for money – families can enjoy a week here at a fraction of the cost of many Eurozone destinations. The main challenge is visibility, as many Italians are still not fully familiar with Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region. But once they visit, they are impressed by the beauty, hospitality, and safety, and often return or recommend it to friends. Improved air connectivity is another key opportunity – with new direct flights between Italy and Mostar, short breaks and pilgrimages have become much more convenient. In addition, the region’s rich religious and cultural heritage is a strong draw for Italians, combined with our natural landscapes and warm hospitality, this creates a compelling offer. Overall, interest from Italians is growing, and we see strong potential for continued expansion.
Fortuna Tours’ presence at TTG Travel Experience 2025 underscores the company’s commitment to the Italian market and its confidence in the growth of tourism between Italy and Bosnia-Herzegovina. By leveraging data-driven insights and decades of expertise, Fortuna Tours aims to strengthen B2B partnerships that will channel more Italian travelers to the cultural riches, adventures, and spiritual sites of the Balkans. Rimini’s TTG expo will serve as the stage where Bosnia and Herzegovina – through Fortuna Tours – invites the Italian travel industry to deepen a mutually beneficial journey of discovery.
