The Ultimate Julian Alps Sensory Adventure - when an NFT becomes a unique experience in Slovenia

Between 29 and 31 May, holders of the Ultimate Julian Alps Sensory Adventure NFTs had an opportunity to first-hand experience the value of NFTs by using them as a ticket to a unique and one-of-a-kind event that combined a digital souvenir and a ticket with an experience in Slovenia. The NFT holders are journalists from prominent international media from the UK, Italy, Germany and Switzerland, as well as from Slovenia and a representative of the Web3 community.

Aljoša Ota, Head of the Italian office of the Slovenian Tourist Board, explained: "By combining a digital souvenir in the form of NFT tokens and the real-life experience, we are approaching the promotion of Slovenia in a creative and innovative way. The project has been developed in partnership with the Julian Alps, which puts sustainability at the core of all its activities. The destination has received numerous prestigious international awards for their efforts and Bohinj is the first destination to receive the highest award of the Slovenian Green Tourism Scheme, the platinum Slovenia Green label."

The Ultimate Julian Alps Sensory Adventure is a unique event, for which a collection of 15 unique NFTs have been released, which function an exclusive digital souvenir and also as a ticket to this event. Some of them were awarded to representatives of prominent international media at last year's WTM in London, and some were given to selected journalists from key Slovenian tourism markets. This week's NFT renewal is an upgrade to the presentation of Slovenia as a sustainable and responsible destination for unique experiences to the media at the WTM London, with the possibility of a unique experience at the destination itself.

The Ultimate Julian Alps Sensory Adventure NFTs

The project is the result of an innovative approach to the promotion of Slovenian tourism and bridges the gap between digital assets and tangible analogue value. In an innovative way, by integrating advanced technology, the project highlights the importance of a responsible attitude towards nature by drawing attention to the issue of disappearing plant and animal species in the Julian Alps, such as the Alpine mynah and the wild rooster. The STB and the Julian Alps have thus drawn attention to the fact that the key to steering the future of the planet lies in the awareness of the link between nature and man.

Upon this occasion, Dr Tit Potočnik, Director of the Triglav National Park Public Institute, explained: "Visitors are welcome in the reserve. However, it is important that they are well informed and aware that they are visiting an area of special importance, an area that is unique and hence precious, an area that local inhabitants as well as managing authorities wish to preserve for the coming generations. It is for this reason that certain parts of the reserve are subject to special, stricter protection and visitation rules, which must be adhered to in order to preserve the pristine condition of the area."

Klemen Langus, Director of Tourism Bohinj, also stressed the importance of such events: "I am pleased that we have brought together new technologies to promote the protected area. It was crucial to enter and protect the area in a different way, so that you don't even need to see the endangered species, but they resonate in you throughout the whole Ultimate Julian Alps Sensory Adventure."

During the three-day event, the journalists were fortunate to call the exquisite Hotel Bohinj their home throughout the event, they also attended the International Wild Flower Festival, learned about stories that put the importance of preserving the balance of nature and biodiversity into forefront, the fragility of ecosystems and the importance of finding sustainable solutions and responsible travel and tourism. The sensory experience is also a reminder to take some time off and experience the environment with all your senses. The event also included a special dinner with Michelin-starred chef Uroš Štefelin.

Using new technologies for innovative and effective promotion of Slovenian tourism

By issuing new NFT tokens and redeeming them as a real experience in the Julian Alps, Slovenia once again stands out as a smart, innovative and sustainable destination, which also ensures the success of its promotion through the use of new technologies.

NFTs are a form of digital crypto-coins or tokens that, due to their characteristics, are not interchangeable with others and are therefore unique and one-of-a-kind, they can represent a digital work of art, a unique object or a service.

For users, NFT tokens can provide several benefits. If registered on a public blockchain platform, NFTs can serve as proof of attendance at a particular event, they can be used as a promotional tool, NFT tokens can become collectors' items that confer prestige and social value to their owners. Finally, NFT tokens can give access to exclusive services or benefits during a trip, such as discounts on accommodation, restaurants  or other tourist activities and exclusive experiences.

Tadej Slapnik, CEO of Hashnet, highlighted: NFTs in tourism enable completely new marketing approaches that offer much more interesting functionalities than traditional marketing campaigns. In addition to unique digital tourist souvenirs, tourism NFTs also enable so-called "proof of attendance", whereby tourists can prove their presence at a given tourist location. This solution enables the development of loyalty programmes, whereby tourism operators can reward tourists for their presence in green tourism destinations, sustainable tourism and involve them in immersive gamified methods of marketing programmes and services, which, through the use of AI tourist avatars, allow the complete customisation of tourism programmes and services to the individual and collective expectations and interests of tourists."

The use of blockchain technology allows to maintain international competitiveness at a high level by promoting digitalisation, improves customer satisfaction and raises trust through increased efficiency, transparency and sustainability - values that are the cornerstone of the vision of Slovenian tourism. The use of blockchain technology is also highlighted by the STB in the Digital Transformation Strategy for Slovenian Tourism 2022-2026, where a specific action (Action 9) addresses the concept and functionality of the Green Digital Token. The aim is to increase the value and quality for Slovenia and to increase and modernise the promotional activities of the STB in order to ensure the presentation of Slovenia's tourism sector and tourism in a digital, modern and innovative form.

More broadly, the STB is exploring possible implementations of all the tools currently being developed in the context of Web3, which refers to the third generation of the World Wide Web. Key features of Web3 include the ability to own and control one's own data, user autonomy and the use of smart contracts for transactions, and the use of web applications and tools that work with artificial intelligence.

Photos: Žiga Koren

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