The Slovenian Primer Minister Alenka Bratušek, MSc and the Minister, responsible for economic development and technology, Stanko Stepišnik, MSc attended the Days of Slovenian Tourism
In the framework of the central Slovenian tourism professional event – DAYS OF SLOVENIAN TOURISM (DST) – a plenary session with a roundtable “How heavily do we bet on tourism?”, which was attended by esteemed guested, was held today. The plenary session was also attended by the Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek, MSc and the Minister, responsible for economic development and technology, Stanko Stepišnik, MSc.
In the framework of the press conference, which was also held today, Minister Stepišnik as well as Boštjan Skalar, Acting Director of SPIRIT Slovenia, and Zdravko Počivalšek, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Chamber of Slovenia, underlined the significance of the event Days of Slovenian Tourism for tourism, which is becoming an increasingly important and perspective branch of economy.
The event DAYS OF SLOVENIAN TOURISM, which is the central Slovenian tourism professional event, is taking place from 7 to 9 October in Terme Olimia in Podčetrtek. The event DST hosts several important Slovenian tourism events. This morning the plenary session with a roundtable, which was attended by esteemed guests, was held. In the afternoon several lectures will be held in the framework of the 16th Slovenian Tourism Forum and in the evening ceremony the highest recognitions in tourism will be awarded. The 60th Catering and Tourism Assembly is also underway. The event Days of Slovenian Tourism was also attended by the Slovenian Primer Minister Alenka Bratušek, MSc and the Minister, responsible for economic development and technology, Stanko Stepišnik, MSc.
The Slovenian Prime Minister underlined that tourism is one of the main factors of national and regional development in Slovenia and the branch of economy which – despite the economic crisis – demonstrates positive indicators, encompasses numerous economic and non-economic activities, provides a market for local products, provides jobs and a new added value: “Modern tourist offer will place Slovenia on the world tourist map where it, indeed, belongs – not only thanks to the conditions and the already-generated capacities but mainly thanks to the people, indeed, the Slovenian tourism is represented by the people who are the ones that co-create tourism and the ones who can improve it. Only the dynamic development of tourism will contribute to the economic, social, cultural and civilizational progress of urban and rural areas as well as the whole country.”
Minister of economy underlined the importance of tourism for the Slovenian economy: “Tourism is an activity that affects the entire economy, creating numerous jobs and impacting the balanced regional development. Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia pays special attention to tourism. We rely heavily on tourism! I also stand for making decisions and introducing measures that will strengthen the economy and the development of tourism in our country for Slovenia to rank high in the competitiveness scales. Both the Government of the Republic Slovenia as well as the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, which I head, strive to create the adequate business environment and reduce administrative burdens. This would facilitate the business of tourism and other businesses as well as improve their competitiveness.”
The importance of DST for Slovenian tourism and the importance of tourism for the Slovenian economy was also highlighted by Boštjan Skalar, Acting Director of the public agency SPIRIT Slovenia: “The significance of the event Days of Slovenian Tourism is once again reflected in the large number of representatives attending the event, namely the representatives of the Slovenian economy, eminent speakers and participants of the plenary session, roundtable and the Slovenian Tourism Forum. This year, particular importance of the event is reflected in the attendance of the Slovenian Prime Minister, Alenka Bratušek, MSc and the Minister, responsible for economic development and technology, Stanko Stepišnik, MSc as well as the President of the Slovenian National Assembly, Janko Veber. This year’s main event of the Slovenian tourism reaffirms the importance as well as the potential of Slovenian tourism as a branch of economy. The results, shown by tourism in the first eight months of this year, demonstrate that Slovenian tourism is able to cope with the challenges of difficult economic conditions and also to find new opportunities.”
Zdravko Počivalšek, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Chamber of Slovenia, pointed out: “I wish that everyone in Slovenia would realise that tourism annually attracts 2 billion euros of foreign tourists, it represents 12% of GDP and 8% of total exports and 40% of services exports; that tourism is a branch of economy which exports VAT because foreign tourists spend in Slovenia, so that annually Slovenia collects 250 million euros of VAT. Tourism employs 45,000 people. In 2012 the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a new strategy for the development of Slovenian tourism for the period 2012-2016 which foresees increased inflows of foreign tourism to 3 billion euros. This represents an increase in VAT to 380 million euros and an increase in the number of employees to 10,000. We wish that the Government would provide greater visibility and better accessibility; therefore, we annually spend a minimum of 20 million euros for the promotion of Slovenia.”
In the framework of the event DST the following institutions in the field of tourism in Slovenia joined forces again to further emphasize the importance of tourism for the Slovenian economy and to build partnerships in Slovenian tourism, namely the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the public agency SPIRIT Slovenia, Tourist Association of Slovenia, Tourism and Hospitality Chamber of Slovenia, Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, Association of Tourism Journalists of FIJET Slovenia, Slovenian Convention Bureau, Association of Slovenian Travel Agencies, GIZ Hiking and Biking and Slovenian Spas Community.
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