Beloved Ljubljana receives the Tourism for Tomorrow Award

Ljubljana added another award to the flattering title of European Green Capital for 2016, as it received a Tourism for Tomorrow Award in the tourist destination category in Madrid in April. The awards are conferred by the World Travel & Tourism Council on destinations that implement and improve their visions of sustainable tourism. Visit Ljubljana, which like a large, comfortable living room in the open is an excellent starting point for green experiences, culinary delights and trips around the country. The Slovenian capital is simply beloved, as its name suggests.

Tourism for Tomorrow awards are conferred by the international organisation World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), an international organisation for implementation of the principle of sustainable tourism. With the awards, the organisation seeks to inspire and educate tourism companies and destinations to constantly improve their green practices. These annual awards are among the highest accolades for sustainable policies in the travel and tourism industry. Ljubljana, the European Green Capital 2016, was competing for the prestigious award in the tourist destination category against the Northeast and Yilan Coast (Taiwan) and Sozopol (Bulgaria).

As a destination, Ljubljana has long been committed to sustainable guidelines, which is reflected in the strategy for developing Ljubljana tourism until 2020. The closure of the city centre to motor traffic, the development of numerous leisure, pedestrian and cycling zones, clean drinking water on every corner and green waste treatment have given Ljubljana the impetus for new tourism, and an environmental and cultural boom.

Ljubljana is much more than a green city. In all popularity lists, it is presented as a must-see European capital, ruled by kindness and relaxation. And not since yesterday … Pile-dwellers lived in the area of today’s Ljubljana Marshes as early as 4,500 years BC, who were known for their ability to cover long distances on water and land. They left behind a rich heritage of handicraft and jewellery making. The oldest wooden wheel with an axle in the world, which was made right among the ancient piles in the Ljubljana Marshes, is 5,200 years old. This knowledge, which was passed on through generations, also contributed to the development of Roman Emona 2,000 years ago. Due to its geographical position, Emona had an important strategic and defensive role back then. It functioned as part of the political and economic order of Ancient Rome, with around 5,000 colonists living in the city. Take a walk along the paths of the Roman Emona in the company of legionaries and hear some interesting stories. Through the centuries, Ljubljana’s Roman image was transformed into what can be seen today, which is marked by the Middle Ages, Baroque, Secessionism and Modernism. The greatest architectural landmarks have the signatures of renowned architects Maks Fabiani and Jože Plečnik. You can see Plečnik’s masterpieces on almost every corner as you walk around Ljubljana. The Triple Bridge in the heart of the city centre is a masterpiece, and it is impossible to imagine Ljubljana without it. Also worth visiting are Plečnik’s National and University Library and the bridges over the Ljubljanica River. You can go shopping under the Plečnik arcades in Ljubljana Central Market or spend a pleasant evening in the Križanke open-air theatre. In 2015, Ljubljana is also marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of architect Maks Fabiani. His rich legacy puts him among the most important architects of Central Europe at the transition from the 19th to the 20th century. On this occasion, several exhibitions are open in Ljubljana, which you can see here. Welcome to the city where all of Europe meets.

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