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Green Scheme of Slovenian tourism

Get to know the green scheme

The Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GSST) is a tool developed at the national level and a certification programme that carries out the following tasks under the SLOVENIA GREEN umbrella brand:

  • brings together all efforts directed towards the sustainable development of tourism in Slovenia,
  • offers tools to destinations and service providers that enable them to evaluate and improve their sustainability endeavours
  • and promotes these green endeavours through the Slovenia Green brand.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Slovenia Green logo

Benefits of Joining the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism

Explore the benefits that the GSST offers to support your everyday sustainable business operations.

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Reduced operating costs
By lowering energy, water, and waste consumption, costs are reduced while efficiency increases.

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Effective measurement tools
GSST provides standardized tools for measuring and improving sustainable practices.

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Connection with the national strategy
Membership means becoming part of the national sustainability strategy and gaining access to knowledge and resources.

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Visibility
Slovenia was declared the world’s first green country (Global Green Destinations Day 2016).

Eight Destinations Among the World’s Top Green Stories

Eight Slovenian destinations were listed among the prestigious Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2025, confirming Slovenia’s position as one of the leading countries in sustainable tourism. The stories by Bled, Bela krajina, Bohinj, Brežice, Jeruzalem, Ljubljana, Logarska dolina – Solčavsko and Miren Kras serve as a global inspiration for the tourism of the future – tourism that builds bridges between communities, respects nature, and creates opportunities for a more sustainable and connected world.

The best green stories from Slovenia 2025

Bank of green solutions

The bank of green solutions showcases the examples of good practices from Slovenian destinations and providers who stand out with exceptional achievements in sustainable tourism. Their solutions demonstrate that innovation, responsibility, and courage are the key building blocks of a green future. Let them serve as inspiration for new progress!

 

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A square compost bin made of light oak wood standing on green grass.

Kočevsko

In Kočevsko, a special solution was developed within the Life DinalpBear project, in cooperation with renowned architect and designer Prof. Janez Suhadolc, which helps reducing conflicts between humans and bears – the bear-proof compost bin. Made of solid oak, it is strong enough to resist damage by bears. This prevents access to organic food, the main reason that attracts bears to settlements. Zavod Kočevsko will allocate 5% of funds from bear-watching programs for the production of these composters, which will be installed in the most affected areas in cooperation with the Secondary School of Wood Technology. They are also collecting voluntary contributions to expand the initiative.

Visit Kočevsko.com

Breakfast with local ingredients served on a terrace overlooking Bled Island.

Hotel Triglav Bled

Hotel Triglav Bled introduced a local à la carte breakfast as a sustainable alternative to the traditional buffet. This approach significantly reduces food waste, as guests choose from dishes prepared on the spot and exclusively from local and seasonal ingredients. Freshness and quality are ensured, while the food is tailored to individual preferences. This method not only reduces environmental impact but also enhances the culinary experience.

Visit Hotel Triglav Bled website

 

 

A tablecloth with a vase of red roses, a glass, and a plate with a knife and napkin placed on the right side of the plate.

Hiša Linhart

At Hiša Linhart, sustainability becomes part of the experience that connects art and heritage. A key part of their sustainable approach is collaboration with local artists who transform broken plates, cups, and other ceramics into aesthetic artworks. Materials that would otherwise end up as waste are given new life and meaning. A similar principle of reuse is applied to textiles – worn large tablecloths are turned into smaller ones, printed with motifs by architect Ivan Vurnik, a local of Radovljica. Guests thus receive a unique piece of cultural heritage and an invitation to explore the local story.

Visit Hiša Linhart website

 

Grey hotel slippers made from recycled felt

Hotel Bohinj

Hotel Bohinj, which reopened its doors in 2021 after a complete renovation, is an exemplary model of sustainable development in the heart of Triglav National Park. Instead of demolishing the old building, the decision was made to preserve and thoroughly renovate it, using renewable energy sources, ecological materials, and energy-efficient systems. This approach reduced the hotel’s carbon footprint and water consumption while preserving its historical value. Sustainability at Hotel Bohinj goes beyond technical solutions—it is also embedded in the guests’ everyday experience. Special attention is given to the collaboration with Kaaita, a company that produces slippers made from recycled felt created from six plastic bottles per pair. Guests can take the slippers home and give them a new life, thereby encouraging sustainable habits beyond the hotel’s walls. Kaaita slippers have become a symbol of Hotel Bohinj’s commitment to respecting nature and promoting responsible tourism.

Visit Hotel Bohinj website

Slovenia's green story

The new promotional documentary Slovenia Green presents Slovenia's green story and, through the stories of locals, destination representatives and tourism providers, tells viewers that Slovenia is a safe destinations with a sustainable offer and unspoilt nature.

Watch the video

Take a tour through our green story

Watch the interactive video and get to know some of the most interesting facts and green stories that reveal the sustainable path of Slovenia.

Play interactive video

Recognitions and awards

The recognitions and awards received by the Slovenian Green Tourism Scheme have also significantly contributed to the increased recognisability and the growing reputation of Slovenia and individual destinations. 

Logo of the Lonely Planet travel guide for the Best in Travel 2022 award for Slovenia.
Green logo of the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories award for 2021
Best of Europe 2020 award logo, ITB Berlin
Hotest Destination of the Year 2019 award logo, Virtuoso
Logo of the nominees for the Touris Board of the Year award 2019, Virtuoso
The Golden City Gate 2019 award logo
International Travel & Tourism awards 2018 logo for the Gold winner
Best of Europe 2018 award logo, ITB Berlin
National Geographic World Legacy Destination Leadership award logo, ITB Berlin
Green Destinations logo
Logo of the Lonely Planet travel guide for the Best in Travel 2022 award for Slovenia.

Slovenia was named 5th in the top 10 countries to visit in 2022, according to world-leading travel publisher Lonely Planet. More

Green logo of the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories award for 2021

At the virtual event Global Green Destinations Days 2021, seven Slovenian destinations were included in the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories list. More

Best of Europe 2020 award logo, ITB Berlin

STB received the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards in the Best of Europe 2020 category for introducing sustainable models in tourism at the national level. More

Hotest Destination of the Year 2019 award logo, Virtuoso

Virtuoso, the leading association in the luxury and boutique travel industry in the world, declared Slovenia the hottest destination of the year. 2019 More

Logo of the nominees for the Touris Board of the Year award 2019, Virtuoso

Virtuoso, a leading association in the world in the luxury and boutique travel industry, nominated the Slovenian Tourist Board for the tourist board of 2018 and 2019. More

The Golden City Gate 2019 award logo

STB received four gold and two silver Golden City Gate Awards for Excellence at ITB Berlin for promotional and communication tools in tourism. More

International Travel & Tourism awards 2018 logo for the Gold winner

Slovenia’s 'Healthy waters' campaign received the golden award in the 'Best in Wellness' category at the WTM London 2018. More

Best of Europe 2018 award logo, ITB Berlin

At the ITB Berlin 2018 tourism trade show, the Slovenian Tourist Board received the Sustainable Destinations 2018 award in the Best of the Planet – Best of Europe category. Destinations with the Slovenia Green Destination label within the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism and Ljubljana and Podčetrtek, as the holders of this golden label, were the winners in the Best of Europe category at the Global Top 100 Sustainable Destinations Awards. More

National Geographic World Legacy Destination Leadership award logo, ITB Berlin

At the ITB Berlin tourism trade show, Slovenia was given the distinguished World Legacy Destination Leadership Award by National Geographic for its sustainable destination management. More

Green Destinations logo

Slovenia was declared the first Green Country in the World at the ‘Global Green Destinations Day,’ which was held in Ljubljana. More

  1. Slovenia was declared the first Green Country in the World at the Global Green Destinations Day in 2016.

  2. Slovenia was named 5th in the top 10 countries to visit in 2022, according to world-leading travel publisher Lonely Planet.

  3. Slovenia has been named one of the 12 most sustainable destinations for 2022 by Conde Nast Traveller magazine.

  4. At the Global Green Destinations Days 2021, seven Slovenian destinations were included in the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories list, Bohinj, Logarska dolina-Solčavsko, Rogla-Pohorje, Ljubljana, Miren Kras, dolina Soče in Ajdovščina.

  5. STB received bronze prize The Golden City Gate (ITB Berlin 2020) for the promotional film Slovenia Green. The story green Slovenia in the eco tourism category.

  6. At the Global Green Destinations Days 2020, nine Slovenian destinations were included in the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories list.

  7. The Italian magazine Weekend Premium Awards has awarded Slovenia the Green Europe prize for the development and promotion of sustainable tourism in the Weekend Premium Awards 2020.

  8. STB received the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards in the Best of Europe 2020 category for introducing sustainable models in tourism at the national level.

  9. The Global Green Destinations Days 2019 (GGDD) conference saw the unveiling of this year's list of the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations in the World. The list includes 31 destinations from Slovenia's Green Tourism Scheme (GTS), all of which have been awarded the Slovenia Green Destination label. Ljubljana, Bled, Komen, Podčetrtek, Rogaška Slatina, Bela Krajina, Bohinj, Brda, Brežice, Hrplje Kozina, Idrija, Kamnik, Koper, Kranjska Gora, Laško, Lenart, Maribor, Miren – Kostanjevica, Nova Gorica, Novo mesto, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje ob Dravi, Šentjur, Sevnica, Škofja Loka, Slovenj Gradec, Šmarješke Toplice, Solčava, Sveta Ana, Vipavska dolina.  

  10. At ITB Berlin 2019, based on the assessment of an international jury, some destinations with the Slovenia Green Label were awarded the honourable mentions of the best in sustainable practices in the Sustainable Top 100 Destinations awards. Ljubljana – with the best sustainable practice of the Local Food Exchange – won the Best in Cities category, while Bled came second in the Best in Europe. category.   

Slovenia Green Association logo

Slovenia Green Association

The development of sustainable tourism in Slovenia depends on connecting all green stakeholders. The Slovenia Green Association, which brings together destinations, providers, and other partners, serves as a common platform for developing green products and experiences. The association follows the strategic directions of Slovenian tourism and, together with its members, builds a green, connected future for tourism.

Visit Slovenia Green Association website

Stories of the Slovenia Green label winners

Listen to the green story of Slovenia and take a closer look at the most sustainable destinations and accommodation providers, learn about the champions in sustainable cuisine and see which green agencies should be entrusted with organising the most sustainable travel arrangements.

A green story of Slovenia

Slovenia is a pioneer in the field of strategic sustainable tourism development on a national level. Over 270 Slovenian destinations and tourism service providers have successfully obtained the Slovenia Green label, which reflects their sustainable approach and responsible behaviour towards the environment. Discover your favourite green corners and experiences and join us in creating a better future.

More on: A green story of Slovenia

Follow the Slovenia Green labels on the interactive map

Slovenia offers a total of 58 destinations, 160 accommodation providers, 3 natural parks, 8 agencies, 18 attractions, 30 restaurants, 2 beaches and 2 congress centers, which comply with the green strategy and pride themselves on having obtained the Slovenia Green label. Find them on the interactive map.

Zoom in to see more

It’s time for green

Spread the green idea with us. Select your green destination, green provider, visit green parks and find green agencies.



To get more information about the Green Scheme of Tourism, please contact:

Katarina Vita Dolinar
Analytics and sustainability
phone no: +386 1 589 85 18
e-mail: katarina.dolinar@slovenia.info

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