IT WOULD seem that if you haven’t visited Slovenia at least once, you are missing out. Last year almost three million people experienced what this small but beautiful country in the heart of Europe has to offer, causing it to jump nine places to number 35 in the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index based on the latest research by the World Economic Forum.
According to the International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA), tourism is becoming one of the most important sectors of the Slovenian economy. Since independence in 1991, the past four years have been the most successful in terms of Slovenian tourism and in 2009 the industry accounted for 12.3 per cent of GDP.
Figures released by the Bank of Slovenia at the end of June this year indicate a 0.5 percentage point higher income from foreign tourists compared with last year.
The number of foreign arrivals has doubled over the past decade, from 884,000 in 1991 to more than 1.6 million in 2009 and the Slovenian Statistics Office recently issued provisional data stating that tourist arrivals in July this year were up five per cent on July 2009.
ITTFA member, Alpe-Adria Tourism & Leisure show has clearly played an important role in the development of the Slovenian tourism industry and has recently changed its name, fromTIP Tourism & Leisure Fair, to better reflect the importance of the whole region and its importance and diversity within the tourism industry.
The patronage of the Alpe-Adria Tourism and Leisure Show has been accepted by the City Municipality of Ljubljana and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Slovenia and it is supported by key figures from the Slovenian tourism industry.
This wide support ensures that the event will become more than just an exhibition space. The accompanying programme will, with the help and participation of educational institutions, contribute to the continual upgrading of knowledge of those working in the tourist industry. At the same time, it will assist in the important function of guiding young people into tourism, which is of key importance for the development of the industry.
The organisers are planning a number of programmes, which will considerably enliven the show from presentations of innovative ideas in tourism to attractive social events and programmes.
Alpe-Adria will be held in Ljubljana from January 27 to 30, 2011.