We have previously wrote about tourist vouchers for residents of Slovenia, that can be used when vacationing in our own country, and are a part of state’s third package of Anti-Covid-19 measures designed to help the tourism industry. The total value of “issued” vouchers is EUR 356.9 million.
The Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) announced, that by 9 August this year, 361,232 tourist vouchers had been partially or fully redeemed, which translates into EUR 49.71 million in value. This means that so far 17.6 percent of vouchers have been redeemed, in total value just short of 14 percent. By far the most vouchers were used in the Municipality of Piran (63,899), followed by Kranjska Gora and Bohinj. In Ljubljana only 3,245 vouchers had been used.
Coastal region seems to be the most popular destination (value of redeemed vouchers is around EUR 16 million), Slovenes are also keen on Slovenian thermal retreats (in municipality of Brežice (Terme Čatež) alone, vouchers in the value of EUR 2.6 million were cashed in), as well as on tourist centers in the Slovenian Alps (just shy of 8 million EUR).
And how are our two biggest cities doing?
As expected – not so well, but we all realize that during the summer people tend to seek more outdoor activities, in the nature – lakes, sea and mountains. In the Municipality of Ljubljana, only 3,245 tourist vouchers worth EUR 396,800 were redeemed, in the Municipality of Maribor even less, 2,266 vouchers in the total value of EUR 296,200.
In the future…
Even though the vouchers have helped Slovenian tourism industry to the measure of survival, they will not be able to save it entirely. Certain segments, such as gambling industry, travel agencies, catering etc., have not been included in this government help package, therefore the future for these segments does not look promising.
In addition, there were some speculations that the redemption of vouchers should be prolonged to next spring, and also expand to some of the other segments, in order for this government action to save the tourism in our country.
