In July and August 2026, Slovenia recorded 2.2 million tourist arrivals and 6.3 million overnight stays, according to experimental data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS). This marks a 7 percent increase compared to the previous summer season, reinforcing Slovenia’s appeal as a top-tier tourist destination. The figures were presented during a press conference held at Bled, near the Turistic Panel within the framework of the 21st Bled Strategic Forum. Key stakeholders including Dubravka Kalin, head of the Tourism Directorate under the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Sport (MGDŠ), Mag. Maja Pak Olaj, director of the Slovenian Tourist Organisation (STO), Fedja Pobegajlo, director of the Slovenian Hotel and Tourism Association (TGZS), and Srečko Kunst, president of the Section for Hospitality and Tourism at the Slovenian Chamber of Crafts and Business (OZS), shared insights into the successful summer tourism season. The success of this year's summer season was highlighted by Dubravka Kalin, who noted that Slovenia has proven itself as a competitive and attractive tourist destination. She emphasized that the growth in tourist numbers is accompanied by quality and more evenly distributed tourism across the country. Investments made over recent years have contributed significantly to increased added value in the sector, which is crucial for Slovenia's economy and European tourism landscape. Kalin also acknowledged the efforts of all workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors, stating that their dedication ensures guest satisfaction and contributes to the overall economic activity and employment opportunities. Mag. Maja Pak Olaj pointed out that the results confirm Slovenia's continued attractiveness as a tourist destination. She stressed that success is measured not just by the number of tourists and overnight stays, but through a broader set of indicators such as added value, consumer spending, seasonal and spatial distribution of visits, quality of offerings, and satisfaction levels among both guests and local residents. She noted that while some destinations still have room for growth, others, particularly in the Julian Alps, are experiencing pressure due to concentrated visitor flows. This calls for more targeted strategies to manage tourism effectively and sustainably. According to data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, July saw record-breaking tourist stays, with nearly 3.3 million overnight stays registered, of which over 2.7 million were by foreign visitors. This reflects the continued popularity of Slovenia's natural attractions, including its mountains, lakes, coastlines, and thermal spas. The highest number of tourists came from Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Poland, traditional markets that continue to play a significant role in Slovenia's tourism industry. The Alpine regions, particularly those offering hiking and active vacations, saw the strongest growth in tourist stays, followed by coastal areas, spa towns, and urban centers like Ljubljana. The surge in tourism has been attributed to Slovenia's diverse offerings, natural beauty, safety, and growing international recognition. These factors have helped Slovenia maintain its position as a sought-after destination even amid increasing competition from other European countries. If this trend continues into August, 2026 could become one of the most successful tourism years in Slovenia's history. Separately, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that Slovenia's GDP grew by 1.5 percent in 2025, slightly higher than the initial estimate released in February. This growth was driven primarily by information and communication activities, financial and insurance services, and construction, each contributing approximately 0.3 percentage points. Healthcare and social protection, real estate operations, and scientific and technical activities added another 0.2 percentage points. However, manufacturing activities had a negative impact on GDP growth, decreasing by 0.3 percentage points, while energy supply, water management, and automotive repair services each contributed a minor drag of 0.1 percentage points. Consumer spending rose by 2.4 percent in real terms, with durable goods seeing the largest increase at 5.8 percent. Public sector consumption also grew by 3.2 percent, with personal services rising by 3.4 percent and collective services by 2.7 percent. Gross capital formation increased by 5.3 percent, with construction accounting for 6.2 percent, machinery and equipment for 5.2 percent, and intellectual property products for 3.8 percent. Inventory changes accounted for 0.9 percent of GDP, representing an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared to 2024, mainly due to higher inventories of unfinished production and retail goods. The trade balance remained positive, with exports increasing by 0.2 percent and imports by 2.8 percent. Prices for exports rose more sharply than import prices, improving the trade conditions with foreign countries. The share of wages in GDP increased by 0.6 percentage points to 52 percent, while taxes on production decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 12.8 percent. Subsidies increased by 0.1 percentage point to 1.5 percent, and depreciation of fixed assets fell by 0.2 percentage points to 18 percent. Net business profit and mixed income increased by 0.1 percentage point to 18.7 percent. Employment decreased by 0.5 percent, while self-employment increased by 1.7 percent. Total employment dropped by approximately 1,000 people, or 0.1 percentage point, with an average annual employment level estimated at 1.102 million people. Of these, 79.5 percent were employed, and 20.5 percent were self-employed. Manufacturing activities had the greatest negative impact on total employment, reducing the workforce by around 4,000 people, or 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, healthcare and social protection showed the most positive contribution, adding around 2,000 jobs, or 0.2 percentage points.
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