2nd World Sports Tourism Congress to boost sustainable tourism

On 26 April, Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sports Matjaž Han is attending the 2nd World Sports Tourism Congress held by the UNWTO, which is taking place in Zadar this year. Minister Matjaž Han participated in a ministerial round table where he presented the Slovenian Tourism Strategy and advocated strengthening sustainable development within tourism. The Congress is also attended by the Director of the STB, MSc. Maja Pak, who will participate in a panel on environmental sustainability in sports tourism on 27 April.

At the Ministerial Round Table entitled "United for Sustainable (Sports) Tourism", Minister Matjaž Han was joined by Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, Sultan Almusallam, Deputy Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, and Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committee. The panellists discussed examples of good sustainable practices in sport and tourism, and the challenges both industries face in the post-covid era and in reducing their impact on climate change.

The Minister began by presenting the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport as an example of good practice in strengthening synergies between the three pillars and the development of the economy and the promotion of Slovenia. The Minister also presented the 2022-2028 Slovenian Tourism Strategy, which highlights outdoor active holidays among its flagship products: ''Outdoor active holidays are the most dynamic and growing product in the new strategic period, and by actively upgrading infrastructure, services and experience, the product is also becoming the most competitive one, with significantly increased added value. It is based on Slovenia's outstanding natural assets and diversity, thanks to the country's position on the crossroads of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain, which provides an exceptional variety of activities in the great outdoors - with a variety of natural and cultural ambiences, all year round.''

Minister Han also highlighted the organisation of international sporting events as an important segment of Slovenia's offer: ''In 2022 and 2023, Slovenia has already hosted or will host a number of international sporting events - from the European to the World Championships. All of them have been held at a high level of organisation and sustainability, proving that Slovenia is a safe, green and boutique destination.''

At the roundtable, Minister Han also called for strengthening the sustainable aspects of tourism: ''Slovenians are proud to have a green and clean country. Our national brand, I Feel Slovenia, also reflects our green identity. This is why we are particularly keen on keeping Slovenia clean, healthy and green alongside the development of tourism and sport.''

Minister Han will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sport, Nikolina Brnjac, to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism, as the Schengen border shift and the introduction of the euro in Croatia will have a positive impact on the already good Slovenian-Croatian economic and tourism cooperation.

The Congress is also attended by the Director of the STB, MSc. Maja Pak, who will participate in a panel on environmental sustainability in sports tourism on 27 April. The panel will address the challenges of reducing the negative environmental impacts of sports tourism and highlight examples of good practice (including Slovenian) in this area.

In the photo: Matjaž Han, Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, MSc. Maja Pak, Director of the STB, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of UNWTO and Nikolina Brnjac, Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sport.

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