In the spirit of friendship, Štravs Podlogar also noted the common past of Slovenia and Serbia and expressed certainty that the two countries also await a common future – in the region and in the EU. As the result of excellent cooperation, she highlighted the Sava River Bike Route from its spring to its mouth. The route has joined together cyclists of the four countries through which the Sava River flows, those cyclists who cycled its entire route. “The journey which lasted nine days started in Kranjska Gora in Slovenia and ended here, in Belgrade, where the Sava flows into the Danube,” said Štravs Podlogar.
Kranjska Gora is a particular gem of this year’s IFT International Fair of Tourism. As one of the most popular winter and summer resorts in Slovenia, it will have a central role in Slovenia’s presentation of 17 destinations and tourist operators. The visitors will be able to learn more about Ljubljana, Maribor, Kranj, Celje, Bohinj, Kamnik and Postojna Cave Park, including Slovenian health resorts: Terme Olimia, Rimske Terme, Terme Čatež and Thermana Laško, and hotels: Hotel Park Ljubljana, Bernardin Group Resorts & Hotels, Sava Hotels & Resorts, LifeClass Hotels & Spa, Sportina Turizem and Unior.
“As you know, Slovenians are an active nation. And you may also be aware that we are no longer known only for our good ski resorts, but we are also developing other, high-quality and innovative tourist products,” added Štravs Podlogar at the press conference and said that the Slovenian Active Park extending across 200m2 would impress the visitors to the fair in front of the entrance to Hall 1 where the Slovenian stand will be situated. The park will include a polygon for cyclists, a climbing wall, a slack line and an igloo. Six sportspeople will provide entertainment at the park during the fair.
Slovenia is also promoting its tourism in an exceptionally active manner. In 2016, efforts will be directed towards digital marketing, where one-third of all funds earmarked for the promotion will be invested. “The promotion strategy outlined in 2015 is in 2016 also focusing on key emitting markets of Slovenian tourism with its selected products, which denote Slovenia as a green, active and healthy destination,” said Štravs Podlogar, and added that special emphasis would be placed on two topics, i.e. healthy waters and Ljubljana, European Green Capital 2016.
On 18 February, Zdravko Počivalšek, Slovenian Minister of Economic Development and Technology, will visit the International Fair of Tourism in Belgrade. The Minister will address the participants at the opening of the fair, and after the official tour of the fair with his delegation and management of the Slovenian Tourist Board, he will receive Serbian partners at the Slovenian stand.