Funding in 2026 to Enhance the Quality of Slovenian Tourism

In December, it already published a call for the development of authentic tourism experiences linked to cultural heritage in the Eastern Cohesion Region. The aim of the call is to revitalise cultural heritage by integrating it into the tourism offer and to encourage the digitalisation of Slovenian cultural heritage at destinations in Eastern Slovenia. The application deadline is 12 February.  

The total available funding amounts to EUR 6,890,000. Eligible applicants include organisations responsible for tourism development at the destination level in the Eastern Cohesion Region, as defined in their founding acts, including private institutes, public institutes, public economic institutes, municipalities, local tourism organisations, regional development agencies and other non-profit organisations.

The goal of the call is to enrich cultural heritage with tourism content, thereby accelerating tourism development in Eastern Slovenia. Through multiplier effects, this will positively impact economic growth and balanced regional development. The call is partially co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The Ministry will also publish a public call for the sustainable development and management of Slovenian tourism destinations, aimed at encouraging destination networking into larger, coherent areas with shared objectives, joint solutions to development challenges and better utilisation of opportunities. The call is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026.

By 2028, EUR  15 million will be available for this purpose, with co-financing of up to 80%. Eligible applicants will be organisations performing destination management, development and promotion functions, including public institutes, public economic institutes, local tourism organisations, regional development agencies and other non-profit tourism organisations.

Through this call, the Ministry aims to establish tourism management at the regional level and at the level of high-potential destinations, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Slovenian tourism at national, regional and destination levels.

In the first quarter of the year, the Ministry is also expected to publish a call to encourage the adoption of environmental and sustainability labels in 2026. This call will support tourism accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, attractions, agencies, mountain and congress centres in obtaining recognised sustainability certifications. Co-financing of up to EUR 3,500 per label will be available, covering certification costs for any of the recognised labels.

These labels include: EU Ecolabel, Bio Hotels, Green Globe, Green Key, Travelife (for accommodation and for travel agencies/tour operators), Ecocamping, World of Glamping Green, Hostelling International Quality & Sustainability, B Corp and Good Travel Seal.

Additional funding of up to EUR 1,000 will also be available for re-certification for providers who have already obtained these labels in the past.

The call also actively supports the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, with EUR 300,000 allocated for 2026.

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