Ljubljana proudly hosted the 9th annual Dragon's Ball

For many years, Ljubljana hosted the glamorous gala evening, nicknamed Dragon's Ball. During this event, the Pink Dragon Award was given to outstanding individuals, organizations, and companies who, through their remarkable efforts, champion inclusion and diversity, thereby contributing to the establishment of Slovenia as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination. This year's recipient of the award was Terme Krka.

The enchanting gala took place within the majestic ambiance of Ljubljana Castle, with the honourable patronage of Ljubljana's Mayor, Zoran Janković. Distinguished foreign guests, including prominent figures from media, tourism organizations, and influencers, gathered alongside local invitees to savour the delights of Slovenia's culinary scene through #gourmetljubljana. The evening was further enriched by captivating performances by Slovenian musical talents, including Jana Šušteršič, Luka Markus Štajer, Maja Keuc – Amaya, and Irene Yebuah Tiran.

As part of the project, a round table discussion titled "Navigating the Future of High-End Travel" was held in Bled. Esteemed participants, including Nejc Jus, Head of Research at WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council), Andrea Grisdale, Founder and CEO of IC Bellagio, and Simone Giorgi, General Manager of Park Hyatt Milano, delved into current trends in luxury tourism and shared exemplary practices in catering to discerning guests. The panel also shed light on the pivotal role of sustainability in luxury tourism and explored the challenges and opportunities for creating a more inclusive travel experience for the LGBTQ+ community.

Slovenia's positioning as an open and secure tourist destination was at the forefront of the Dragon's Ball. This remarkable event was organised by Mattej Valenčič and Matej Knific, co-owners of Luxury Slovenia, with a clear vision: to place Slovenia on the international LGBTQ+ community's map as a welcoming and secure destination, offering uniquely tailored, top-tier experiences.

Mattej Valenčič emphasized: "Our diversity is our strength, and our openness is our allure. We extend our gratitude to the Slovenian Tourist Board, Ljubljana Tourism and other partners who have played a vital role in co-creating this wonderful narrative, which is transforming Slovenia into one of Europe's premier LGBTQ+ tourist destinations."

Photo by Marko Delbello Ocepek

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