The Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, the country’s foremost sustainable tourism program, celebrated its 10th anniversary during the annual Green Day event held in Ljubljana. This important occasion not only welcomed new members into the initiative but also recognized destinations and service providers that successfully renewed their certification, affirming Slovenia’s steadfast dedication to sustainable and responsible tourism growth.

Hosted by the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), Green Day highlighted the addition of Ribnica as the newest destination to join the Green Scheme network, earning the respected silver Slovenia Green label. The event also confirmed the re-certification of nine existing destinations, with Bohinj maintaining its prestigious platinum label, the program’s highest honor.

Other destinations like Koper and Kras with Brkini continued to hold their gold certifications, while Krško, Ljutomer, and Šentjur preserved their silver labels. The bronze category saw Litija, Novo mesto, and Sevnica renew their status.

In addition to destinations, the scheme expanded its reach within the accommodation sector, welcoming 12 new providers.

These included a diverse range of properties such as Rezidenca Ortus, Tivoli Boutique Inn, Hotel Delfin, Sever Turizem, Hotel Lonca, Grand Hotel Rogaška, Hotel Terme, Hotel Dolenjc, Gorska Reka Restaurant and Accommodation, Hiša Pr Budkovič, Camping Bela Krajina, and Toti Breg.

Their inclusion demonstrates the accommodation industry’s commitment to adhering to the stringent environmental and sustainability criteria set forth by the Green Scheme.

The culinary landscape also strengthened its sustainable credentials with the addition of three new restaurants: Hiša Denk, Gostilna Javornik, and Gostilna Marta.

Their certification underlines the growing emphasis on sustainable gastronomy, with practices focused on local sourcing, waste minimization, and environmentally conscious operations becoming integral to the visitor experience.

The Green Scheme: A Decade of Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Slovenia

Since its launch ten years ago, the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism has served as a foundational framework guiding the country’s sustainable tourism efforts. It sets comprehensive standards for destinations, accommodations, and service providers to achieve official Slovenia Green certification. These standards prioritize environmental protection, cultural heritage preservation, responsible resource management, and active community participation.

Currently encompassing over 280 certified destinations and businesses, the Green Scheme has become synonymous with sustainability excellence in Slovenia’s tourism sector. Beyond safeguarding natural and cultural assets, it functions as a catalyst for economic sustainability and enhanced visitor satisfaction, blending ecological responsibility with tourism development.

Enhancing Impact Measurement with the National Tourism Information Centre

Looking ahead, the Slovenian Tourist Board plans to bolster the effectiveness of the Green Scheme through the launch of the National Tourism Information Centre (NiST). This digital platform will provide tourism stakeholders with advanced data analytics and monitoring tools, enabling precise assessment of sustainability initiatives’ outcomes. By leveraging this technology, the industry can make informed decisions to optimize environmental, social, and economic benefits, ensuring Slovenia’s tourism development continues on a sustainable trajectory.

Honoring Leadership: Green Coordinators as Sustainability Champions

A key highlight of Green Day was recognizing the vital role of green coordinators — individuals responsible for managing and promoting the Green Scheme’s principles within their respective destinations. These coordinators serve as the backbone of sustainable tourism efforts, overseeing compliance and fostering community engagement. This year’s top green coordinator award was presented to Urška Gaberšek from Velenje, celebrating her exemplary leadership in advancing sustainable tourism practices.

Collaboration and Sustainability as Drivers of Profitability

Throughout the event, expert discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration among tourism providers and destinations in delivering meaningful, sustainable guest experiences. Research findings showcased the strong correlation between sustainable operations and enhanced profitability, affirming that the Slovenia Green label extends beyond a marketing symbol. It serves as a strategic tool that facilitates long-term success and competitive advantage for businesses committed to sustainability.

Slovenia’s Green Story Told Through Digital Innovation

The Slovenian Tourist Board demonstrated how the country’s sustainable tourism narrative is effectively communicated on the global stage through cutting-edge digital marketing and content strategies. Campaigns, high-quality visual storytelling, and digital outreach initiatives collectively position Slovenia as an eco-friendly, inclusive, and boutique tourism destination. These efforts successfully engage travelers seeking authentic, responsible travel options aligned with sustainability principles.

Sharing Knowledge and Best Practices Among Industry Leaders

Green Day’s roundtable discussion brought together distinguished representatives from destinations and tourism providers to exchange insights and effective strategies for sustainable tourism development. Participants included municipal officials, architects, and tourism operators from various sectors, fostering a collaborative environment to address challenges and drive progress in Slovenia’s sustainability goals.

Immersive Experience in Slovenia’s Natural Heritage

The event concluded with a guided ecological tour through Ljubljana’s renowned Tivoli, Rožnik, and Šišenski hrib landscape parks. This hands-on experience showcased the area’s rich biodiversity, including protected species such as the hermit beetle, and highlighted the unique features of Slovenia’s phenological park.

The excursion reinforced the importance of preserving natural environments, a core objective of the Green Scheme, while offering participants a deeper connection to Slovenia’s remarkable natural heritage.

Image: 2025 Slovenian Tourist Board

The post Slovenian Green Scheme Marks 10 Years with New Certified Destinations, Accommodations, and Restaurants Advancing Sustainable Tourism appeared first on Travel And Tour World.