The Savinjska-Šaleška region is a truly beautiful part of Slovenia, inspiring visitors with its forests, lakes, mountains, and cultural heritage. The sensitivity of the natural environment and the need to preserve natural resources have encouraged the region to adopt sustainable practices in tourism. Through careful planning and investment in projects that respect nature and the local community, the Savinjska-Šaleška region is developing into a green, responsible tourist destination. Here are some of the key sustainable practices that are putting the region on the map of sustainable tourism.

Focus on sustainable development of tourism infrastructure

Sustainable tourism is based on appropriately designed infrastructure that reduces negative impacts on the environment. All 10 municipalities in the region are committed to building and maintaining infrastructure that provides access to natural attractions with minimal impact on nature. Cycling and hiking trails are carefully planned and equipped with signs that guide visitors along well-maintained paths, helping to prevent erosion and preserve natural habitats.

By renovating and adapting existing infrastructure, such as hiking trails, and developing new projects using environmentally friendly materials, the region aims to become a model of a sustainable tourist destination. Electric and regular bicycles are available for rent in every municipality, allowing visitors to explore the region in an environmentally friendly way.

Preservation of water resources and management of natural bathing areas

The region is rich in water resources, such as Lake Velenje, which represents significant tourist and natural potential. Protecting water quality is a priority, which is why two eco-remediation islands have been set up on the northern side of Lake Velenje, where plants are used to reduce excess nutrients in the water and oxygen is returned to it. The quality of bathing water in the lake area is monitored, while the shores are cleaned and waste is managed properly. They also draw attention to the care of wild birds: In order to ensure the quality of bathing water and to prevent possible negative impacts on the birds themselves, feeding them is prohibited.

In 2025, extensive rehabilitation will take place in the area around Velenje Beach, which will improve infrastructure and accessibility, especially for people with functional disabilities. The project includes new urban equipment, additional greening, upgrading of access, reinforcement of the bank, renovation of the pier, and improvement of the access route for boats. In addition, the offer will be digitised and experiences for active leisure time will be upgraded.

One of the popular activities on rivers and lakes is fishing. There are four active fishing families in the SAŠA region, each of which takes care of biodiversity in its own fishing grounds and supervises sport fishing in the Paka, Savinja, and Dreta rivers, as well as in the Velenje, Škalsko, and Šoštanj lakes.

Digitisation of tourism and waste reduction

One of the key elements of sustainable tourism is reducing the use of paper and other consumables. With the introduction of digital solutions such as mobile apps, information boards with QR codes, and online platforms, visitors can easily access information about the region without the need to print brochures or leaflets. Through apps, visitors can obtain information about local attractions, route maps, safety recommendations, and sustainable mobility options.

One such application, developed by all 10 municipalities in the Savinjsko-Šaleška region, is Savinjska2Go. This is a cycling guide to the Savinjska region, intended for anyone who enjoys discovering new tourist destinations and attractions on two wheels. The app contains information on 54 cycling routes and more than 200 different points of interest, such as cultural and natural attractions and similar. Another interesting app is “Experience Blooming Mozirje,” designed for visitors of all ages who want to explore Mozirje digitally and learn more about the lives of the people who once lived in its old market houses, thus discovering the history, tradition, and identity of the place. Visitors are guided along the route by Gaja the bee, who playfully directs them between the ancient houses and helps them put together a secret password.

In 2024, the Šaleška Valley Tourism Board was the only Slovenian representative to win second place at the prestigious ECTN AWARDS 2024 competition in the category of Advances in Digitisation and Digital Transition in Smart and Sustainable Cultural Tourism with its product “Secrets of Sunken Villages”. The product combines modern digital technologies and the preservation of cultural heritage. Through innovative approaches, visitors learn about the story of the sunken villages of the Šaleška Valley and their historical wealth, which places the project at the very top of sustainable tourism solutions in Europe.

Some destinations, such as popular hiking and nature spots, encourage visitors to reduce plastic waste by using their own bottles and recycled materials. Many event organisers in the region already charge a deposit for glasses, which reduces the amount of waste and prevents pollution and littering in nature.

Connecting local providers and sustainable gastronomic services

Sustainable tourism also includes support for local producers and craftsmen, which reduces the carbon footprint of transport, reduces waste, and stimulates the local economy. The Savinjsko-Šaleška region is developing programmes that encourage catering establishments to use locally produced food and seasonal offerings, which contributes to reducing imports and increasing the quality of the offerings.

Municipalities and the regional development agency encourage farmers and local producers to collaborate with restaurants and create authentic dishes that offer visitors a genuine taste of the Savinjsko-Šaleška region.

As part of promoting local food production, the region also hosted the project “Let’s eat local: Increasing food self-sufficiency in the SAŠA region.” Its purpose was to raise public awareness about food self-sufficiency, environmental protection, and the sustainable use of natural resources. As part of the operation, which was carried out by five partners in 10 municipalities in the Upper Savinja and Šaleška valleys, various activities were carried out, such as educating primary school children, workshops for farmers and young unemployed people, green job creation, and promotion through digital and print channels.

Another project aimed at preserving traditional cuisine and raising awareness about nature conservation, i.e., ensuring that ingredients are sourced under natural conditions, is KUL SAŠA, or culinary education for young people to diversify the tourist offer in the Savinjska-Šaleška region. The project also contributed to the sustainable use of local resources, such as Zgornjesavinjski želodec (a traditional dish made from sheep stomach), Solčava sirnek cheese, grapes and wine from Šmartno ob Paki, spices from Gornji Grad, and local dairy products and home-grown ingredients from the garden and fields, which are used to prepare culinary specialities and for which it is important to ensure a suitable microclimate. At the end of the project, several participants received a certificate of competence as a culinary master of traditional dishes or a certificate of competence as a sommelier, and a plan was also drawn up to raise awareness of the importance of nature conservation, natural resources, and adapting to climate change to support local self-sufficiency, which is key to the development of traditional cuisine.

Involving the local community and raising awareness

Sustainable tourism is not possible without the active participation of the local community, which is key to preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage. The SAŠA Development Agency and the Velenje Tourism Board, in cooperation with municipalities, therefore organise various workshops and educational events to raise awareness among local residents about the importance of sustainable tourism. The involvement of the local community also increases their sense of belonging to the region and builds awareness of the long-term importance of sustainable practices. Through various online platforms, both local communities and visitors are regularly encouraged to respect and preserve nature and to treat it responsibly.

Velenje is part of the Slovenia Green tourism scheme

The Slovenia Green scheme is a comprehensive national programme that promotes sustainable tourism development in Slovenia. It is a certification system that enables destinations, accommodations, parks, agencies, and attractions to obtain the Slovenia Green label, thereby demonstrating their commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

In 2015, Velenje joined the national programme and gained a comprehensive insight into its sustainable development and the Slovenia Green Destination Bronze label. Upon reassessment, it progressed and earned the Slovenia Green Destination Gold label. As a proud member of the Slovenia Green family, Velenje consistently follows sustainable principles and strives for continuous green improvements.

Opportunities for future development of sustainable tourism

Future tourism development in the region will focus on new projects that will include even more in-depth solutions for nature conservation, the development of digitisation, and the promotion of green practices. Through active community involvement, support for local providers, and a responsible approach to nature, the region is developing as an example of good practice in sustainable tourism.

Green tourism, based on sustainable practices, is the future of the Savinjska-Šaleška region, which is why the development of green experiences and the acquisition of green labels are being promoted. We believe that future development, based on the Slovenian Tourism Strategy, the Strategy for the Development and Marketing of Tourism in Velenje and Šoštanj, and the Strategy for Sustainable Tourism in the Savinjsko-Šaleška Region, will be based on sustainable practices that do not exclude anyone, but rather connect local residents, increase visitor satisfaction, and are nature-friendly.

SAŠA Just Transition Centre