With a strategic vision to modernise Slovenian ski resorts, that is intertwined with development of sustainable year-round tourism, the Slovenian Tourist Board is making high strides towards achieving the same, led by an investment of over EUR 76.5 million.

Nine Slovenian ski resorts have undergone a transformative makeover under a total investment of EUR 76.5 million, oriented to enhancing infrastructure, expanding year-round offerings and crafting richer experiences. 

In a press statement, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) says it has enhanced promotional activities with the makeover of the mountain resorts and introducing new experiences for the upcoming winter season of 2023/2024. Conversion of ski resorts into year-round mountain hubs was sanctioned with an infusion of over EUR 55.4 million. 

The board says these investments play a pivotal role in transforming ski resorts into year-round mountain destinations. It says that destinations like Krvavec, Vogel, Velika Planina, Cerkno, Golte, Rogla, Kope, Mariborsko Pohorje and Trije Kralji will have undergone significant infrastructure investments by the end of 2023, totaling EUR 76.5 million. The strategic vision is the modernisation of Slovenian ski resorts is intertwined with the development of sustainable year-round tourism.

“With this state-backed support, we fostered investments in cable cars and other infrastructure for outdoor tourist activities, totaling an impressive 84 million euros. The tender strategically targeted investments in cable cars and diverse tourist infrastructure for outdoor activities beyond the winter season. This means that they also had to invest in the construction or renovation of the infrastructure for outdoor activities that are not exclusively linked to the winter season, for example zipline courses, adrenaline parks, downhill and mountain biking courses, arrangement of thematic hiking trails, theme parks, adventure parks. This way, we enabled ski resorts to increase the added value of these mountain resorts throughout the year. By doing this, we significantly contributed to the development of year-round tourism not only in these mountain resorts but also in all other tourism-related activities in the wider region,” says Dubravka Kalin, Director General of the Directorate for Tourism.

The statement says that modern infrastructure of mountain resorts, including cable cars and chairlifts, forms the basis for year-round tourism and tourist offers available throughout the year. All the recipients of the funds are also obliged by the project co-financing contracts.

The ministry says that these initiatives targeted investments in tourist accommodation, restructuring of mountain resorts and accommodation and public tourist infrastructure. Across all three public tenders, the ministry championed a grand total of 136 projects, providing co-financing amounting to EUR 142 million sourced from European and public funds. This effectively catalysed investments in Slovenian tourism, amounting to EUR 359 million, underscoring a dedicated push to enhance the Slovenian tourism sector.