Green investments now!

Portorož, 27.09.2023 - The exhibition Smat Investments for Green Tourism was opened at the Faculty of Tourism Studies - Turistica in Portorož. The exhibition of good practices, selected together with the Portorož Tourist Board and the InnoRenew CoE research institute, marks World Tourism Day, which this year takes place under the theme Tourism and Green Investments.

World Tourism Day, on 27 September, is, as every year, dedicated to raising awareness about the current role of tourism in the world. This year's event, the 43rd in a row, is being held under the theme Tourism and Green Investments. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) stresses the need for investment in this global sector to support sustainable development, provide new opportunities for people's creativity and contribute to the well-being of society at large.

The exhibition showcases ten local and international projects that are working with science to invest in sustainable tourism development. Traditionally sustainable investments are presented in natural parks (Sečovlje Saltpans and Strunjan Landscape Parks) and heritage sites (St George's Church in Piran and the Servite Monastery in Koper). In addition to these, the exhibition offers new insights into the sustainability of hotel investments (the Histrion Hotel in Bernardin, the Impero in Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Sara in Skellefteå, Sweden), investments in sustainable human creativity (the Science Centre and Nature Classrooms in Izola) and electrification for the progressive decarbonisation of transport in the Portorož-Pirano destination.

"Despite the huge challenges facing global tourism today, from climate to human resources, on World Tourism Day we want to recognise the industry's remarkable ability to continue to enable the growth and development of society. The exhibition showcases good investments that go beyond simply boosting economic growth. Everyone involved in the exhibition agrees that tourism needs investment, but it needs to be in pursuit of sustainable goals. This understanding must become part of our common vision," said Dr Aleksandra Brezovec from the Chair of Sustainable Destination Development at UP FTŠ Turistici on behalf of the exhibition organisers.

The exhibition was supported by the Directorate for Tourism and opened by Sandra Barachini, Head of the Business Environment in the Tourism Sector at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia. After the opening of the exhibition, a guided expert tour of the Monfort building and exhibition centre was organised by the Portorož Tourist Board. The exhibition will be on display in the Turistica Hall every weekday between 8 am and 6 pm, until 24 November.