A new concept of the Slovenian Incoming Workshop 2021 impresses more than 80 foreign participants

The event pays special attention to intertwining informal meetings and unique experiences on study tours in Slovenian macro destinations with Ljubljana as a starting point. At today's press conference, MSc. Maja Pak, Director of the STB, and Simon Zajc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology presented  this year's results of the summer tourist season, the impact of the pandemic on Slovenian tourism and the measures and assistance to the tourism industry.

For many years, the Slovenian Incoming Workshop, or briefly SIW, has been considered the most important business event in Slovenian tourism and an excellent opportunity to nourish existing and establish new connections between the representatives of the Slovenian tourism industry and foreign tour operators and agents. SIW has been organized by the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) for the twenty-third time this year.

At today's press conference, Simon Zajc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (MGRT) and STB's Director MSc. Maja Pak presented the importance and role of SIW in the promotion and marketing of the Slovenian tourist offer and current topics of Slovenian tourism to Slovenian journalists.

On this occasion, Simon Zajc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, pinpointed: “Before the pandemic, we proudly talked about great results and successful development of Slovenian tourism. The Covid-19 pandemic has turned out to be a real stress test for the entire tourism industry – from tourist destinations, accommodation facilities, restaurants, travel agencies and all other stakeholders. This year, Slovenian tourism expects slightly better statistical data on tourist visits than last year, when we suffered a large decline in terms of international arrivals. To achieve the numbers from 2019, we will have to fight hard. The SIW represents an invaluable opportunity to deepen existing partnerships, establish new contacts and thus help increase the number of foreign tourists in the coming seasons. The pandemic accelerated the digitalisation of Slovenian tourism, encouraged innovation and creativity in promotional activities, influenced the improvement and refinement of hygiene and health standards, and triggered the optimization of tourism products tailored to domestic and foreign guests. I am convinced that everything is moving in the right direction, mainly thanks to the endless dedication and ingenuity of tourism providers.”

MSc. Maja Pak, the Director of the STB, emphasized the great importance of the Slovenian Incoming Workshop for presenting the Slovenian tourist offer to key tourist agencies and tour operators from foreign, especially nearby markets: "I am pleased to host representatives of 82 foreign tour operators and travel agencies in Slovenia, including 78 percent of those attending the workshop for the first time. In line with the changed habits of tourists who search for holidays in destinations accessible by car, foreign participants come mainly from nearby markets, mostly from traditionally important markets, i.e. Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Germany. This year's edition of SIW is different and adapted to trends and situations. It takes place in the form of 4 one-day study tours to 4 macro regions, where foreign participants are joined by domestic providers, with whom they conduct individual meetings. In this way, we wanted to prepare an even more personalized, boutique event, where partners can experience the intertwining of experiences with business meetings. The Slovenian Incoming Workshop is the most important business event in the field of tourism, representing an exceptional opportunity to conclude deals, strengthen partnerships and establish new contacts. This is of great importance in the period of restarting tourism. Given the successful summer season, which will partially alleviate the loss of traffic in the first months of the year, and if the epidemiological situation does not worsen, we expect around 10% growth in tourist arrivals this year, with foreign arrivals amounting to about 30 % more than last year. "

Journalists were also addressed by Peter Patt from Poppe Reisen, a German tourist agency, who on first day took part in a study tour to Postojna Cave and Goriška brda, and on the second day to Krvavec and Ljubljana.

Great buyers, mostly from nearby eminent European markets

As many as 82 foreign and 111 Slovenian companies are participating in this year's SIW on Boutique Tour, which takes place 13 – 14 September. The workshop enables Slovenian tourism providers to conclude concrete deals with key customers, this year mainly from nearby European markets. Most foreign participants come from Italy (15), Austria (14), Germany (6), the Netherlands (8), the Czech Republic (5), Poland (6), Belgium (6) and the United Kingdom (5). The event is also attended by representatives of travel agencies and tour operators from Hungary, France, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, Israel and the USA.

SIW on Boutique Tour 2021

This year's SIW takes place in a slightly different version than in previous years. The SIW on Boutique Tour combines business meetings and unique experiences on selected study trips around Slovenia with a starting point in Ljubljana. On 13 and 14 September, foreign tour operators and travel agents will have visited tourist macro destinations on two one-day study tours of their choice and experienced the very best of the selected destinations. Foreign and domestic participants will have a chance to meet in formal (as part of workshops or working meetings) and informal meetings. The study tours represent the green, active and healthy 5-star experiences of Slovenia.

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