Slovenia, the story of love
green cities and healthy waters
London, WTM 2015 – November 3nd 2015
Welcome to Slovenia, where the mighty Alps meet the Mediterranean,
where the peaceful Pannonian Plain meets the mysterious Karst.
Slovenia is a story of mountains and the sea, forests and waters, fields
and vineyards and of towns surrounded by nature.
Here in Slovenia nature is extremely generous with her thermal springs
and mineral waters. 2016 will be the year in which we celebrate her
‘healthy waters’. Slovenian thermal springs were first developed by the
Romans, but now it is your turn to relax in our natural spa pools and
indulge in the latest wellbeing treatments.
Or perhaps you’d like to explore our green capital, Ljubljana, with
natural spaces at every turn and the Ljubljanica River flowing through
its heart. We invite you to find out why Ljubljana has won the European
Green Capital Award 2016.
Maja Pak, Acting Director of Slovenian Tourist Board, said:
“This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Slovenian Tourist Board and
from the very beginning we have been present at London’s WTM. The main
themes for this year are Slovenia as a green, active and healthy place, and of
Ljubljana having been named European Green Capital 2016. Continuous
presence in the UK market, greater promotion during 2015 and increased
visibility in the British media have led to a high growth of tourists from Great
Britain, with a 23% increase recorded in the first nine months. As well as
mountain resorts and city breaks in Ljubljana, there was increased interest in
Slovenia’s natural spas, with 38% more visitors within the first eight months.”
Petra Stušek, Director of Ljubljana Tourism, said:
“The title Ljubljana, European Green Capital 2016 represents an
acknowledgment of our work and efforts over the past years and at the same
time gives us momentum to continue in this direction. We believe in the
development of sustainable tourism, especially for urban destinations. By
making the city greener and cleaner Ljubljana will ensure an equal quality of
life also for future generations.”
Why you need to feel Slovenia in 2016
Europe’s greenest capital. Forget busy highways and concrete jungles, our
capital is a place of peace and natural beauty with 75% covered in green
spaces. From the Ljubljana Botanic Garden to the Path of Remembrance and
Comradeship that encircles the city, we invite you to feel the love in Ljubljana,
the European Green Capital 2016 and the first destination that successfully
passed the certification and has already received a golden certificate of
Slovenia Green destination.
Take part in our birthday celebrations. Join us as we celebrate our 25th
birthday in 2016. There’s never been a better time to come and visit us,
whether you’re looking for an active city break, a dip in our world famous
thermo-mineral pools, a few days basking in the Mediterranean sun or pure
white powder snow and stunning Alpine scenery for your skiing and
snowboarding holiday.
Play Slovenia’s glorious greens. The IAGTA recently named Slovenia the
Undiscovered Golfing Destination of the Year 2015. Beginners and experts
alike can play a round in some of Europe’s most stunning landscapes, from
the Pannonian Plain, among vineyards and hills, below the Alpine peaks and
in the idyllic Karst landscape.
Slovenia is green. Quite literally – an abundance of nature stretches from the
Alps in the north and northwest to the Pohorje in the northeast, the Pannonian
Plain in the east, and the wine-growing hills and thermal water regions of the
southeast. Forests blanket nearly two thirds of the country, while a third is
protected within the framework of the Natura 2000 European network.
Slovenia is active. This is the country of vacation and recreation in all
seasons, be it skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing in the Slovenian Alps in
winter or hiking and biking in summer. This is one of the most diverse natural
playgrounds on earth, perfect for hikers, cyclists, skiers, golfers, speleologists,
riders, paragliders, kayakers and countless other sport fans.
Slovenia is healthy. Throughout 2016 we will be celebrating Slovenia’s
healthy waters, which have been attracting visitors for centuries. Visit our
natural and thermal spas & resorts to enjoy wellness treatments intertwined
with centuries-long tradition, experience with thermal waters and the latest
discoveries from health experts to enrich your body and invigorate your soul.
We’re equally proud of our local food and drink, with wine region Goriška Brda
on the border with Italy having recently been named a European Destination
of Excellence 2015.
Press opportunities
We have several group press trips planned throughout the year, and
would be more than happy to arrange tailor-made press trips. A few
press trip ideas:
The Green Capital Experience. Wander Ljubljana’s many green spaces,
visit the Ljubljana Botanic Garden, follow the winding embankments of the
Ljubljanica River and indulge in delicious local Taste Ljubljana produce.
Slovenian Spa Indulgence. Follow in the footsteps of the Romans and visit
some of the world’s finest natural and thermal spas as we spend 2016
celebrating the healthy properties of Slovenia’s mineral-rich waters.
Adriatic to the Alps. Discover why Slovenia was named the Undiscovered
Golfing Destination of the Year 2015, with courses and driving ranges hidden
amongst vineyards and beneath mighty Alpine peaks.
Slovenia through the Centuries. Slovenia might be a young and beautiful,
turning 25 next year, but the Slovenes are an ancient nation. Learn about the
vibrant and intense history from the first settlers, to one of the greatest battle
of the Roman times and the turbulent wars of the 19th century that have
shaped today’s independent country.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Slovenian Tourist Board,
Dimičeva 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija
Tel.: 00386 (0)1 5898 550, Faks: 00386 (0)1 5898 560
www.slovenia.info/press
Information Office London
Embassy of Slovenia, 10 Little College Street, SW1P 3SH London
P: +44 20 7227 97 13
Tine Murn, Head of UK & Ireland communications, tine.murn@slovenia.info
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