PREDSEDOVANJE EU 2008 EU Presidency 2008 PREDSTAVITEV ...

It is already clear that the 2008
tourist year will not be threatened,
despite climatic changes. The size
of the country is not related to its
content, so can Austria be
comparable to Slovenia and I’m
sure we can surpass Austria
regarding promotions abroad.
Nevertheless, I feel it would be
more suitable to compare
ourselves to the Finns or the
Portuguese. We are most comparable
to Portugal and they will be an
orientation point for us. We are also
preparing a symbolic handover on
2 January 2008, in which the
Portuguese will be present at a
tourist fair in Ljubljana and vice
versa. This act will symbolically
implement the European slogan – a
land between Portugal and
Slovenia.
Which segments of Slovenian
tourism will be included in the
Presidency project?
The STB is both directly and contextually
involved in promotion
outside Slovenia, and we’ll also lend
support to activities within the
country. The entire tourist economy
will be included in these activities.
Our usual partners will participate
in all the projects, while specific
activities will involve other
Slovenian companies. Not all the
details’ve been negotiated yet. The
STB will also carry out classical
activities, in which all partners will
participate, expanded to make up
promotion of the country. On the
other hand, the STB will take on the co-organisation of events that are not
strictly connected to tourism (concerts and other events) in countries of
less interest to tourists. Partners who’ve not previously been closely connected
to the STB will co-operate in these efforts. The policy of partnership
thus remains. Transport companies, hoteliers and other tourist service
providers in Ljubljana and Bled will be included directly in events in
Slovenia and in events scheduled in other tourist centres. We often forget
events taking place alongside the Presidency. Numerous economic delegations
will also visit Slovenia. Individual ministries are responsible for these
events where, for example, the STB will act as organiser of the European
Travel Commission in April 2008, with accommodation in Bled. What’s
important is quick reconciliation of the events’ calendar and separation of
the Presidency events and remaining events according to the unofficial
rule on EU events. There is not enough space for such events at Brdo.
Is the Slovenian Tourist Board co-operating with the Slovenian
Government Logistics Centre in terms of organising meetings and
other tourist activities? If so, in what way?
The STB is fully aware of all the activities and preparations for the
Presidency. It’s directly co-ordinating promotions abroad, and we cooperate
with the Government Communication Office on a daily basis.
Right now, there’s no direct co-operation with the Logistics Centre.
If required, however, the STB will certainly ensure adequate support.
Are you aware that we barely have enough quality accommodation
prepared for participants and how do you intend to resolve additional
reservations if they arise?
As far as Ljubljana is concerned, quite a few new hotel projects are close
to realisation. Several hotels have expanded their capacities. There are
months when space is short, certainly, but there are also summer months
when capacities are poorly filled. Construction of new hotels just for the
EU Presidency is questionable, in my opinion. What’s important is that
existing venues are commercially successful. This is an important gain
from the viewpoint of the owners. I think that investors could be found in
the case of an extreme shortage of space. This means that hotels would
be at least 70% occupied on an annual level. On an annual basis, Ljubljana
has not yet experienced such a deficiency.
In addition to the positive effects, we should also point out negative effects
of the Presidency, especially highlighted by the tourist agencies. The
majority of hoteliers try to understand that it’s necessary to ensure a
minimum space for permanent partners and, when this isn’t possible, they
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