The Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) has partnered with AVIAREPS Middle East to promote the central European nation as a ‘new' destination for Middle Eastern travellers seeking green, active and healthy breaks with the unique richness of healthy waters. A series of campaigns, each separately targeting families, couples and individuals will be unveiled throughout the year each highlighting one or two of Slovenia's many unique attractions such as its Eco-tourism offering, skiing, thermal spas and healthy waters, to name a few. Maja Pak, MSc, Acting Director of STB with reference to commencing promotional activities within the Gulf States, said "we reorganized the Slovenian Tourist Board in accordance with modern marketing trends and new contents, we successfully carried out numerous presentations to journalists, tour operators and the general public abroad, and in cooperation with the economy sector, we prepared a two-year marketing program for Slovenian tourism, which is ambitious and is, in line with trends, focused on both digital marketing and the most promising markets." The activities of the Slovenian Tourist Board will be mainly focused on increasing the recognizability of Slovenia as a green, active, healthy, sustainability-oriented tourist destination, promoting innovative products and stories of Slovenian tourism through market engagement programs. To kick off the promotions in the Middle East, STO had a very successful presence at the Riyadh Travel Fair, where it participated for the first time from April 12-15, 2016, and will then make a return appearance at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to be held in Dubai on April 25 -28, 2016. At the Arabian Travel Market STO will be launching a special valued-added travel package tailored exclusively for the Middle East market. The campaign will revolve around the central "I Feel Slovenia" brand and target active families with unique programs featuring Slovenia's natural landscapes and healthy waters. Slovenia's credentials for the promotion of green, sustainable tourism is first rate, with Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital, being awarded "European Green Capital 2016" by the European Commission. In addition to Slovenia's many picturesque medieval towns and cities are its numerous natural attractions that extend across the country's unique topography that includes the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain and the Karst. These diverse landscapes provide seasonal beauty all year round, and continuously surprise with lush forest, tumbling waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and healthy crystal-clear waters. Slovenia is best known for its natural health resorts, thermal spas and wellness centers. Due to the therapeutic effects of the springs reaching the surface at 32-73 ̊C, many thermal spas and resorts continue to provide medical rehabilitation and other treatments, while others provide thermal entertainment in the form of water parks and fun for the whole family. Another unique attraction is the ecological tourist farms, which offer a healthy living environment and certified organic food. There are more than 400 tourist farms for visitors to stay and enjoy a reconnection to the land, peace and relaxation, an opportunity to meet warm-hearted people and learn about their customs and livestock.
