Everyone knows how vital tourism is to any economy, but few are as straightforward about admitting it as the Slovene Tourist Board’s Director Maja Pak. Actually, from President Danilo Türk to Prime Minister Borut Pahor, anyone in the know in Slovenia readily acknowledges tourism’s value to the people there. Taking a look at recent efforts, including the board’s website, reveals a bit about the country’s dedication to travel too.
Hiking the Julian Alps - courtesy M+M Photographers
The tourism industry in Europe has been hit pretty hard by the economic situation, this is obvious. For Eastern European countries, this is particularly true, given they rely to a large degree on inbound tourism from the West. The good news for Slovenia is that overnight stays and foreign visitors are on the rise.
Though things could be much better, so far this year the Slovenian tourism sector has generated over €1.26 billion in revenues, a bit more than 4 per cent better than in 2009. But still, compared to Slovenia’s potential growth, things are slow indeed.
The approach to the amazing Predjama castle - Courtesy Ilkka Rinne
Like most emerging economies Slovenia is pulling out all the stops to encourage travel there. One key element, and an indicator, is appears in digital form on the Tourism Board’s fairly fantastic tourism portal. Of all the national level websites we have seen so far, this is by far the best designed, most informative, and most forward thinking of the lot.
If a digital footprint means anything, Slovenia’s online presence is stellar. We need not go into the specifics here, but suffice it to say this site is on a par with most online travel guides, and far better than most.
The famous church on the Isle, Lake Bled - Courtesy DragonWoman
Cutting edge technology, progressive marketing and outreach, a government highly in favor of “connecting” for tourism, all Slovenia’s methodologies seem keenly focused. This fascinating country is becoming less and less an undiscovered jewel, and more of a hot spot for short and long term visitation – as well as investment.
