In the first 11 months of the past year the number of tourists increased by almost 11% compared to the year before. For the first time, the number of overnight stays exceeded 10 million. Most of the Slovenian municipalities and tourist destinations are satisfied with the results, and especially Goriška brda should be mentioned for winning the EDEN title as the European Destination of Excellence out of 11 nominees.

Every year the European Commission project awards the tourist destination which in its development considers the respect of sustainable principles. In case of Goriška brda this includes specific culinary offer which contributes, in an original, comprehensive and sustainable manner, to revival of the local environment. In this way the local providers attract more and more guests throughout the year.

Extended merry month of December in Ljubljana
Ljubljana tourist workers are delighted with the success they had in the Slovenian capital due to the merry month of December which was extended by one week; the festive illumination and stands were set a week earlier than normally. Ljubljana was bursting at the seams in the last days of December; one million day guests were counted. The number of overnight stays in the last month of the past year was 78,000, which is 20% more than last year.

Among foreign guests the Italians prevailed, there was a lot of tourist from Croatia, Austria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, the USA, and France. In average they remained in Ljubljana for two days, while American tourists created the largest number of overnight stays.
It certainly promises well for the year 2016, in which Ljubljana will take hold the title Green Capital of Europe granted by the European Commission to the city with high environmental standards. The Municipality of Ljubljana will celebrate the title with a number of activities and events, and every month another environmental topic will be in the foreground, e.g sensible waste management in January.

The Ljubljana tourism has no wish to rest on its laurels. They even hope to improve the record, also with the aid of the higher budget for promotion. Thus the capital is already planning a number of promotional activities and marketing abroad, cooperation at the tourist boards and workshops. One among the challenges they intend to address is how to keep tourists in the city longer than two days, which is the average length of stay.

K. S.
Translated by G. K.