GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre (GR) annually organises, executes and hosts the Natour Alpe-Adria, the central and only Slovenian tourist fair promoting green and active tourism. The international fair, according to the GR’s Director Iztok Bricl, »remains the best junction for the flow of ideas among tourist actors and domestic guests.« More than 200 main protagonists of the Slovenian tourism, local communities and tourist associations from Slovenia and abroad gathered also in the exchange of good practices and discussions that encourage the development and promotion of Slovenian active and green tourism. Properly so, for as Mr.Bricl furtherly noted, »Slovenia, as a green, active, healthy country with an innovative and attractive offer, meets global trends.«
The culinary aspect of the tourism also got its important place at the fair. Accompanying the Natour Alpe-Adria fair, the 12th Fairs of Tastes GASTexpo & ice-cream were held, while the Natour-Alpe Adria hosted a round table on How Slovenia Can Become a Recognizable Culinary Destination in which Ana Roš (the World’s Best Female Chef 2016) participated as well.
In addition, the Natour-Alpe Adria Trade Show awarded the 8th Jakob Prize – the prize for quality and excellence in the Alps-Adriatic region. The prize went to the Gols Connect Company that has been developing a very precise and well-considered offer in the wine growing region Golsa near Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedler See).
All in all, the GR with the organisation of the 29th Natour Alpe-Adria Trade Show proved again how very well aware it is of what the Slovenian Prime Minister said at the official opening. Namely, that the tourism is a bright spot of Slovenian economy … and, we could say, it is getting even brighter through the fair which in one place brings together important stakeholders from the industry to furtherly grow Slovenia’s green and active potential.
