Public Presentation at the Faculty of Economics in Bihać Marks the Start of the Implementation of a Major Scientific Research Project in Tourism
Bihać, 30 December 2025 – A public presentation of the scientific research project “Development of a Model of Thematic Dimensions of User Experience and Sentiment for Predicting Review Ratings of Hotels and Motels in Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Bihać, officially announcing the start of its implementation phase planned for 2026.
The project was presented to the public by its project leader, Prof. Dr. Kenan Mahmutović, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Bihać. The project is being implemented with the participation of Prof. Dr. Arnela Nanić, also a professor at the same institution, as a member of the research team. The public presentation was attended by representatives of the academic community, researchers, as well as stakeholders from the tourism and hotel sector.
During the presentation, it was emphasized that the project aims to develop a modern analytical model that integrates natural language processing methods and sentiment analysis, with a particular focus on guest reviews published on online tourism platforms. Such an approach enables a deeper and more precise understanding of the key thematic dimensions of user experience that influence guest satisfaction and overall ratings of hotel facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Special emphasis was placed on the practical and strategic value of the research results, which, in addition to being relevant for the hotel and tourism sector, will also be significant for various levels of government. The expected findings of the project will enable higher-quality, data-driven decision-making in the planning and allocation of grant funds intended for tourism development, particularly in areas and destinations where pronounced problems related to service quality, infrastructure, or user experience have been identified.
In this way, the project provides an empirical basis for more effective public policy design, more balanced regional tourism development, and targeted investment in segments with the greatest potential to enhance destination competitiveness.
As highlighted during the presentation, the project is institutionally supported and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, confirming its scientific, social, and developmental relevance, as well as its alignment with federal and national strategic priorities in the fields of science, digitalization, and tourism.
“The results of this research will provide a reliable basis for understanding the real needs of guests, identifying key factors of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and strategically guiding development interventions in tourism,” it was emphasized during the presentation, with particular attention drawn to the project’s contribution to strengthening cooperation between universities, the tourism sector, and public institutions.
The public presentation at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Bihać marked the beginning of the next phase of the project, which entails its full implementation during 2026, with the expectation that the results will have a long-term impact on improving the quality of the tourism offer and the management of tourism development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
