Ljubljana tourism is starting 2019 on solid foundations laid last year, which, among other things, includes eight international recognitions and awards for the successful development of tourism in Ljubljana, a lengthier stay of tourists in the city, and two million overnight stays exceeded by October.This is a result of fulfilling the key strategic goals in tourism in Ljubljana, such as the deseasonalisation of visits, lengthier stays by tourists, high-quality tourist products, and, as a result, greater tourist consumption, and directing tourist flows from the immediate city centre to other areas in Ljubljana and Central Slovenia. Overnight stays by foreign guests accounted for 96.4%. Last year, the average length of stay by guests was 2.4 days, which means that tourism in Ljubljana achieved another one of its strategic goals, i.e. extending the length of stay by guests. Last year was also a record year in congress tourism, which significantly contributed to extending the length of stay. Furthermore, extending the stay of Asian guests and increasing the number of tourists in months with traditionally fewer visitors – April, May, and November – is also a great success.
In 2018, the City of Maribor and the Maribor-the Pohorje Hills tourist destination once again achieved the best results thus far. According to the provisional statistics issued by the Statistical Office, 201,160 tourists stayed in the City of Maribor overnight, thus generating a total of 438,000 overnight stays. In the city of Maribor, the ratio between local and foreign overnight stays and guests was 13:87, to the benefit of foreign overnight stays and guests. The average length of stay by tourists compared to the previous year also extended here, i.e. from 1.85 to 2.17 days. In 2018 (I–XI), most of the tourists staying in the City of Maribor came from the following markets: Germany (39,525 overnight stays), Croatian guests beat Austrians and Italians with 27,659 overnight stays, while Poles were in third place with 25,920 overnight stays, and Italians in fourth place with 23,395 overnight stays. Serbs are next with 21,301 overnight stays, while Austrian guests are only in sixth place with 19,977 overnight stays. Positive trends can also be noticed with Dutch guests, who had 12,864 overnight stays in 2018.
The Maribor-Pohorje Hills tourist destination was visited by 250,000 guests in 2018, and they generated 560,000 overnight stays. The average length of stay in this destination was 2.24 days.
2018 also saw excellent results in the Municipality of Piran, which exceeded one million overnight stays as early as in July.“Excellent December results are proof that Slovenia is becoming increasingly interesting in winter too. Particularly the Mediterranean climate and world-class services in our wellness centres allow tourism to be operational throughout the year. The cherry on top are events during the holiday season, and we are trying to offer more in this field every year. We are pleased with the annual statistics too. In addition to the increase in the number of overnight stays, I am most pleased that hotels are getting higher prices per hotel room sold,” says Igor Novel, Director of the Portorož Tourist Association.
Last year, nearly half a million overnight stays were recorded in Izola.“Statistics show that, after the record 2017 season, the enviable results in Izola improved further. Almost half a million overnight stays were recorded, visits by foreign guests increased by a third, the Tourism Association renovated Izolana – House of the Sea, a new website was made for tourism in Izola, and our presence in social media was upgraded. Enhanced cooperation with neighbouring destinations, with which we launched common promotional activities, and attracting potential visitors through social media using the Love Istria brand also contributed to the good results. There was special emphasis on the digital presentation of Izola’s cuisine within the Tastes of Izola project. Gastronomy will continue to be one of the more important aspects of promotion in 2019,” says the Izola Tourism Association.
In Soča valley, last year’s tourist season was by one-fifth better than in 2017. “In only eight years, since 2010, when the number of overnight stays stopped at 305,000, the amount more than doubled by last year – to 740,000 overnight stays. The combination of attractions and nature draws an increasing number of tourists from more than 50 countries around the world, and a quarter of them are from Germany. Last season, the fourth consecutive record-breaking season, generated more than EUR 706,000 in tourist fees for the municipalities in the Posočje region. On the other hand, this intensive visit, which has been growing from year to year, brings certain challenges in the field of infrastructure. It is a good sign that the season is extending to spring and autumn as well,” pointed out Janko Humar, Director of the Soča Valley Tourist Board.
See more at: https://www.slovenia.info/en/press-centre/news-of-the-tourism-press-agency/9188-slovenian-tourist-destinations-satisfied-with-the-2018-statistics
