1. European Paths of Peace Tourism product for the 3rd millennium
Ministry of SME & Tourism Slovenia
European Paths of Peace Tourism product for the 3rd millennium
Sonja Sibila LEBE, M.Sc.
Counsellor to the government

2. Statistics for the year 1999 tourism needs peace to be successful
- the time of the Kosovo crises -
tourism needs peace to be successful
season season 2000
Croatia ,3% ,5 (January - July)
Hungary ,8% ,3 (January - June)
Slovenia ,5% ,0 (January - July)
fear kills tourism even in distant countries
people need a feeling of security to decide for travel  

3. Who Has visited these Countries in spite of the War in Kosovo?
Tourists who
have known these countries before
have had a good informed consultant in their travel agency
What helped were:
good personal experiences in the region in the past
knowledge - reliable information

4. Slovenia promoting the Global Code of Ethics
tourism needs peace
as true as this statement is also the next one: peace needs tourism
because it strengthens understanding among people and nations
because it strengthens readiness to do something to keep peace - concerning politics and education
as a stability-factor in the world

5. Globalni kodeks etike za turizem
Translated into Slovenian language
The text corresponds to the tenor of Slovenian Strategy on tourism development (1995)
sustainable development
economic development of rural areas
prevention of culture and nature etc.
New aspect: fortifying peace in Southern Europe
Published in tourism monthly TUR!ZEM (free)
Copy sent to all shareholders in tourism

6. Why is Slovenia implementing the Global Code of Ethics?
Importance of tourism as a factor of
(self)education and raising
of consciousness
Knowing (loving) a certain region or country
Knowing and understanding people living there, their customs, their culture, their folklore - no mass tourism
Establishing contact to local inhabitants while visiting their land, developing sympathies and understanding for each other

7. Project for the 3rd Millennium: European Paths of Peace
Tourist project that allies 3 European states: Austria, Italy, Slovenia
through common history (of war) in the past
through cross-border co-operation today
through more and more common projects in the field of tourism (rural tourism, biking and hiking (panoramic) paths
project of “European Paths of Peace”

8. Italy
Austria
Slovenia

9. Terms of Living in the Region
Place where the Slavonic, the Germanic and
the Romance culture (language) meet Tromeja, Tre confini, Dreiländereck - a triple border
frequent changes of state authorities; one natural entity, three different states;
mountainous region - demographic problems how to earn the living - no industry possible, some agriculture and - nowadays - tourism

10. History Museum in Kobarid (Caporetto)
European Council Museum Reward for the year 1993
Showing the uselessness of war by explaining the struggle of the Soča (Isonzo) front
Museum - not glorifying the war: Focusing the misery of participants - names, letters, personal belongings of soldiers
Who suffers? The “little man”, local inhabitants, the nature and - the humanity.
Ernest Hemingway: Farewell to the Arms
“To whom the bells are ringing?”
To you.

11. Enough for an International Project?
Place of collective human memory -
Participants of 17 different nations
Looking for family roots
Reminder for humanity
Possibility of visiting places of battles, some visitors want to study the war strategy
Incorporating environment - elements of natural and cultural heritage
Juncture of the Mediterranean and Alpine climate, River Soča, Karst as a unique natural phenomenon, Roman monuments, gastronomy…
Good possibilities for leisure
Biggest Casinos in Slovenia, best wines, sports

12. Possibilities for Actve Holidays Sports in the Region
The landscape is unique
Good organised offer on “adrenaline” sports:
mountaineering, bungee-jumping;
mountain)biking, hiking, horse riding;
One of the clearest European rivers - Soča - Isonzo with the indigenous Soča trout:
fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting;
Winter sports in all the three countries;
common bid for the Olympic games
(in 2002 and perhaps in 2010 again?)

13. Future . . . ? World-Peace Needs Tourism
The (tourism) progress of the region depends
1. On long term cross-border co-operation
PHARE project in readiness to collaborate
Panoramic paths (cycling, hiking)
Common brochure for the rural tourism sector
and on
2. First class international marketing

14. Ministry of SME & Tourism Slovenia
Thank you
for your attention
Sonja Sibila Lebe, M. Sc..
Counsellor to the Government