Simon Zajc

Ljubljana – Slovenia is awaiting investors with open arms and has plenty to offer as it transitions towards a green, creative and smart economy, officials told a virtual investment conference on Wednesday. “Slovenia is not just one of the most sustainable countries in the world, it also offers high quality of life.

Postojna – Climate expert Lučka Kajfež Bogataj called for truly green tourism at a round table debate held as part of Days of Slovenian Tourism in Postojna on Wednesday. “If we are selling green, let’s become truly green,” she said, pointing to criteria such as energy use per tourist night, water consumption and the amount of food waste.

Dubai – Slovenia will become the world’s first country to issue its own non-fungible tokens (NFT) to promote the achievements of its businesses and its tourism destinations. The tokens will be gifted to visitors to Slovenia’s pavilion at the Expo show in Dubai opening on 1 October.

Ljubljana – Employees and users of services in nearly all sectors will have to comply with the vaccinated-recovered-tested rule from Wednesday, a decision that government officials say is designed to offer the best possible protection while keeping the economy and society open.

Ljubljana – The National Assembly passed on Wednesday an emergency bill worth EUR 243.5 million to help the embattled tourism sector. The short-time work scheme has been extended and new holiday vouchers introduced. The opposition warned that the measures, which are this time aimed at the most affected sectors, came too late and were insufficient.

Ljubljana – Slovenia will introduce new tourism vouchers as it is finalising an emergency bill to help the tourism industry. Unlike the vouchers issued last year, it will also be possible to use these for services such as cultural and sport events or recreational activity, Economy Ministry State Secretary Simon Zajc said on Thursday.

Ljubljana – The Economy Ministry supports the proposal from hotel operator representatives that the limit for the number of rooms that may be open in an individual establishment is not expressed in the absolute number of 30 units but as a percentage. It hopes it will get relevant approval from the expert advisory group next week.

Ljubljana – Although the hospitality sector has been eagerly awaiting at least a partial reopening, it is unhappy with the government’s decision to reopen only outdoor facilities in eight of Slovenia’s 12 regions with the best epidemiological situation. There, outdoor facilities will operate from 7am to 7pm for a week from Monday, 19 April.

Ljubljana – The EU member states have reached an agreement at the ambassadorial level on a joint position on Covid certificates, with Slovenia emphasising that such a certificate must not lead to additional restrictions and that it must be available to all citizens.

Ljubljana – Parliament debated Tuesday the Court of Audit’s recent findings about the efficiency of personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement during the Covid-19 epidemic last spring. Centre-left opposition MPs insisted there had been serious problems with the purchases, coalition MPs saw today’s plenary as a mere show for the public.