SLOVENIAN TOURISM IN 2014.

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1 SLOVENIAN TOURISM IN Key events and anniversaries. What tourist year lies behind and, especially, what comes ahead for Slovenian tourism? Last year has entered the history of Slovenia and Slovenian tourism primarily as a year strongly characterized by sports; however, this year will be characterized by sports and business events among the latter, the hosting of the annual ABTA 2014 congress stands out. Moreover, there are two important anniversaries to be commemorated the 100th anniversary since the beginning of the First World War, while the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, celebrating its 2000th anniversary of the Roman Emona, will try to bring what life was like in the former Roman Emona closer to its visitors. In the beginning of 2013, the Slovenian skier Tina Maze and her incredible ski results brought the name of Slovenia all around the world. September was entirely devoted to basketball namely, Slovenia hosted the European Basketball Championship EuroBasket was also a year that, after two record years with regard to the number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays, remained positive. Focus on target groups in selected markets, strengthened marketing-communication campaigns, intensive presence in digital media, preparation of niche products, increase of the recognisability of Slovenia and its tourist offer, consistent implementation of the I Feel Slovenia trademark, increase of the reputation of Slovenia on target markets and improvement of the accessibility of Slovenia for foreign tourists. These objectives remain at the centre of activities of the SPIRIT Slovenia, Public Agency Slovenian Tourist Board in Following are some key events and anniversaries in The annual ABTA 2014 congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia This fall, from 22 to 24 September, Slovenia and Ljubljana will host The Travel Convention 2014, the annual congress of the largest British tourist association ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), an event that is considered one of the largest events of the British tourist industry. The convention takes place each year in a different tourist destination, where between 500 and 1200 leaders of British tourism and

2 aero-nautical, marine and other industries connected to tourism participate. Even though Ljubljana differs from the usual model of the convention location (usually in a seaside resort), it was selected for its diverse attractiveness and very professionally prepared candidacy in battle with Portorož. The event will definitely contribute to Ljubljana's strengthening of its position as a city break destination in the British market. SPIRIT Slovenia Slovenian Tourist Board and Ljubljana Tourism will participate in the organisation as the main partners, while the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre will be the main venue of the conference. Great Britain is the second largest outbound tourist market in Europe, right after Germany, which is of huge importance for Slovenian tourism in 2012, this market was, according to the number of overnight stays, in 7th place. In 2013, tourists from Great Britain generated 8% more overnight stays in Slovenia in comparison with the same period last year. The trend of the number of arrivals and overnight stays from the British market to Slovenia has strongly changed in recent years, largely depending on the airline connections between both countries. However, the ABTA 2014 convention will also have a positive impact on the commercial success of the additional airline connections between Great Britain and Slovenia, announced for this spring by Adria Airways, the Slovenian national air carrier, who will, from May to September, fly from Ljubljana to Manchester and Gatwick and back twice weekly. Ljubljana celebrates 2000 years of the Roman Emona A special place in the history of settlement of Ljubljana is occupied by the period of the Roman Emona, traces of which have been preserved in the city centre of the Slovenian capital. Slovenia and Ljubljana are facing an important anniversary! In 2014, Ljubljana is celebrating the 2000th anniversary of Emona; therefore, numerous activities will take place in the town, bringing life in the former Roman Emona closer to its visitors. Would you like to find out more about the origin of Ljubljana? Supposedly, it was established by Jason and the Argonauts during their journey from Greece. Nowadays, the heritage of Emona is strongly woven into the urban fabric of Ljubljana the history of Emona is part of Ljubljana s identity. To help visitors to Ljubljana become familiar with this identity, last year the capital started new day and night tours through the Roman Emona, where visitors discover the traces that the former Roman town of Emona left in the current capital; moreover, visitors go 2000 years back to become familiar with the life and habits of the people of Emona. How people lived in those days can be experienced in three restored archaeological parks: Emona House, the Early Christianity Centre and the Roman Wall parks are connected with a 2-km long circular path that connects ten recognizable points of antique monuments in Ljubljana, offering an interesting basis for an attractive thematic walk.

3 Moreover, Ljubljana Tourism published a Roman Emona guide that provides an opportunity to become familiar with the Roman Emona during a 1 to 2-hour long walk in the calm and pleasant South-Western part of the city centre of Ljubljana. Furthermore, the Ljubljana City Museum is preparing a rich exhibition that is to take place from Spring 2014 to Summer The event schedule will reach its peak between 22 and 24 August 2014, when the central event Ave Emona will take place in the centre of Ljubljana. In 2014, you must definitely visit the Roman Emona Ljubljana! A century after the First World War, Slovenia invites tourists to discover the historical heritage of the Isonzo Front In 2014, the world is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, while one year later Slovenia will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Isonzo Front, one of the toughest battles that took place in one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys of the emerald Soča River. During this anniversary, Slovenia would like to present this important historic heritage that takes visitors on the Walk of Peace. The walk remembers everyone who suffered during the First World War and why wars should never take place. Moreover, it primarily encourages the value of peace and opportunities for common development. Within the framework of the common cross-border Slovenian-Italian project T-lab, Spirit Slovenia Slovenian Tourist Board has prepared tourist packages for an active discovery of the historic heritage of the Isonzo Front from the Alps to the Adriatic, presented in the Soča, Do Tell brochure. The planners of the programs, which were prepared under the guidance of SPIRIT Slovenia, had to face the challenge of how to present the war and its dark past to the needs and wishes of modern tourists. The emphasis is on people who live today and work along the Walk of Peace and know well the stories of the past as well as the history of their region. Another emphasis is on the beauty of nature. The brochure can be found at It is available in Slovenian, Italian, English and German. The brochure brings some specific cross-border tourist programs that take tourists through the storm of history, with views of nature, by bicycle and with an emphasis of the local cuisine. The programs include the key points of the Isonzo Front heritage that geographically cover the area from the Alps to the Adriatic in the territory of Slovenia and Italy. Slovenia is hosting several international sports events in 2014 Slovenia has been host to numerous important international sports competitions from traditional skiing races, ski-flying competitions, biathlon and cross-country races to kayak and canoe events as well as several other sports competitions. Following are some of the most recognisable and traditional competitions in 2014.

4 The Golden Fox, the traditional international ladies Alpine Ski World Cup, slalom and giant-slalom, has been organised on Pohorje near Maribor since It has a huge reputation in the world of sports, which is partly due to the numerous visitors who contribute to an amazing atmosphere under Pohorje with their spirit and encouragement. This year, already the 50th Golden Fox, will take place on 1 and 2 February One month later, the skiing competitions will move to Kranjska Gora where the 53rd Vitranc Cup, international Ski World Cup race in slalom and giant-slalom for men, will take place on 8 and 9 March This year will also feature the finale of the ski-flying season, this time on the new Bloudek's ski-flying facility. The FIS World Cup in Ski Jumping Planica 2014 will take place from 20 to 22 March Planica is also in the final as a candidate for the Nordic World Championship in 2019! Between 28 and 31 August, Slovenia will also host the World Amateur Cycling Championship, while on 26 October, Ljubljana will host the 19th Ljubljana Marathon, which is becoming an increasingly recognisable sports event in Europe. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SPIRIT Slovenia, Public Agency Slovenian Tourist Board Dimičeva 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija Tel.: (0) , Fax: (0) FOLLOW AND VISIT US

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