Hutovo Blato Biodiversity
On 8 March 2022, I participated in the “Hutovo Blato Biodiversity” seminar, held at Motel Park in Karaotok, Bosnia and Herzegovina, within EXCHANGE — Explore Cross-border Aquatic Biodiversity.
The seminar brought together 36 participants, including tourism guides, local community representatives, academics and project partners. Its purpose was to strengthen knowledge of Hutovo Blato Nature Park and support the presentation of its natural heritage to visitors.
Understanding the park’s biodiversity
Following the welcome by Nikola Zovko, Director of Hutovo Blato Nature Park, Dijana Bošnjak introduced EXCHANGE and the Blue Pass tourism product.
Prof. Višnja Bukvić presented the park’s biodiversity, highlighting its rich plant life, endemic species and conservation significance. The presentation also examined Hutovo Blato’s importance for fish and its role as a habitat for wintering and breeding birds.
These topics provided tourism professionals with a broader foundation for explaining the ecological value of the landscapes visitors encounter.
Exploring the Hutovo Blato Aqua Path
Prof. Svjetlana Stanić-Koštroman presented the Hutovo Blato Aqua Path, exploring natural heritage as a resource for sustainable rural tourism.
The presentation followed the route through the park’s waterways, introducing the aquatic and wetland habitats along the way. It connected ecological knowledge with storytelling and the interpretation of the area’s distinctive flora and fauna.
This approach illustrated how a guided visitor experience can communicate the relationships between water, wildlife and the surrounding landscape.
Photo: Sharing knowledge of Hutovo Blato’s natural heritage and its potential for sustainable tourism during the EXCHANGE seminar.
Connecting expertise with tourism practice
The closing discussion addressed participants’ questions, opportunities to become involved in Blue Pass and possible future activities. Participants exchanged contacts and emphasised the value of stronger connections between subject specialists and tourism guides.
Evaluation feedback was positive, with respondents reporting that the seminar was useful, clearly presented and contributed to their knowledge.
The event complemented EXCHANGE’s wider training programme by connecting scientific expertise with the practical work of presenting aquatic biodiversity to visitors.
Cover photo: Participants at the EXCHANGE seminar “Hutovo Blato Biodiversity”, Motel Park, Karaotok, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 8 March 2022.
