Bojan Meden, Slovenian Tourist Board Hannover, 23rd of April 2004

Tourism is an important branch of Economy  9,1% GDP (Travel & Tourism Industry)  over 1,7 Billion EUR (400 Billion SIT) turnover,  employees (6,4%) (Travel & Tourism Industry),  1,18 Billion EUR of foreign currency inflow (in 2003)  10% of Slovenian export of goods and services (over 50% export of services) TOURISM SECTOR IN SLOVENIA (basic data)

TOURISM SECTOR IN SLOVENIA IN 2003  2,25 million tourist arrivals (1,37 million by foreign tourists)  7,5 million overnight stays (4,2 million by foreign tourists)  72% foreign tourists come from EU Accommodation facilities:  tourist beds (in 2003)  160 hotels with beds (in 2003)  Over restaurants, inns and bars

TOURIST OVERNIGHT STAYS BY YEARS

TOURIST OVERNIGHT STAYS BY COUNTRIES IN 2003

TOURIST OVERNIGHTS - GERMANY

TRADITION  600 years of using thermal water (Dobrna),  185 years of tourism in Postojna cave,  150 years of tourism in Bled (famous lake)  120 years of organised tourism in Portorož  110 years of tourism in ski centres and hiking in Julian Alps,  90 years of Casino in Portorož  In 80s tourism was recognised as an important branch of the Slovenian economy,  in 90s: modern SPA tourism (wellness programmes) and casinos became the most important tourist products

SLOVENIAN TOURISM STRATEGY STRATEGIC GOALS  To increase the recognition of Slovenia as an interesting and attractive tourist destination on key markets;  To increase the number of foreign overnight stays for 7 % and domestic for 1%;  To increase the consumption per guest with stimulation of development and marketing of quality products;  To increase the competitiveness by enhancing the quality management and »value for money« principle;  To expand the season and facilitate more uniform regional development and marketing of tourism;

SPECIFIC GOALS  To improve the image of Slovenia as an interesting, attractive and safe tourist destination,  To realise an investment cycle in the value of 1,6 billion EUR by year 2010  To increase the role of knowledge of the tourism sector and improve the educational structure of employees in tourism,  To raise the annual foreign currency inflow to 1,6 billion EUR by year 2006  To increase the number of overnight stays up to 9 million by year 2006

BASIC TOURISM FIELDS ACCORDING TO THE NEW STRATEGY MOST IMPORTANT TOURIST PRODUCTS: SPA MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, congress, events) CASINOS (Entertainment) GEOGRAFICAL AREAS (tourist destinations) JULIAN ALPS, POHORJE-MARIBOR, COAST, KARST, LJUBLJANA PROGRAMME FIELDS 3A – active holidays ( activity, adrenalin, attraction), 3E – agrotourism (ecology, ethnology, enology) 3D – dream society (legends and myths)

EXPECTED INVESTMENTS IN TOURISM In the period 2004 – 2010 over 300 investment projects are expected:  Casinos (34%) (Nova Gorica region),  Accommodation facilities (21%),  SPAs (15%)  Ski centres (ski lifts, infrastructure, artificial snow) (13%),  Recreation infrastructure, pools, etc.,  Thematic routs, natural and cultural heritage,  Golf courses,  Convention centres

SOME OF OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:  diversity  safety, proximity and accessibility to Slovenia  good opportunities for short holiday lasting a few days  good value for the money  the fact that Slovenia is a part of Europe