Press release

Slovenia among the finalists of the National Geographic World Legacy Awards

Ljubljana, 2 December 2016 – in August, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) suggested Slovenia as a candidate for the World Legacy Award, a prize awarded by National Geographic. The candidacy was successful and yesterday, on 1 December, National Geographic announced Slovenia as one of the finalists. Slovenia is competing for the award alongside two other shortlisted countries, the USA and Kenya.

The World Legacy Awards winners will be announced in March 2017 at the largest international tourist exchange, ITB Berlin, of which Slovenia is a “Convention & Culture Partner.” National Geographic awards the World Legacy Awards in five different categories: Earth Changers, Sense of Place, Conserving the Natural World, Engaging Communities and Destination Leadership.

At the occasion of our country’s qualification among the top three finalists of this prestigious award, Director of the Slovenian Tourist Board, Maja Pak, emphasised: “Slovenia has identified sustainable development in tourism as the only right way towards the further development of our country; our dedication to sustainable development is reflected in all development- and promotion related activities carried out by the STB. “By developing and successfully implementing the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism – SLOVENIA GREEN, we have strengthened the marketing power of Slovenian tourism and stimulated the development of environmentally friendly tourism, which builds up the reputation and market position of Slovenia as a green, boutique, sustainability-oriented tourist destination. Our endeavours abroad haven’t remained unnoticed and are only confirmed by the qualification of Slovenia among the Destination Leadership finalists of the reputable and internationally recognised medium: National Geographic.”

Slovenia competes for the award from the highly esteemed National Geographic in the category Destination Leadership, in which evaluation of candidates is based on sustainable practices, environmentally friendly initiatives and the protection of the natural environment and cultural heritage. Slovenia qualified among the top three finalists after a successful application and a thorough evaluation procedure that included a 4-day evaluation visit to Slovenia.

More about the award and its individual categories is available here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Slovenian Tourist BoardDimičeva 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SlovenijaTel.: 00386 (0)1 5898 550, Fax: 00386 (0)1 5898 560www.slovenia.info/pressRebeka Kumer Bizjak, Global Public Relations, press@slovenia.info