The Slovenian Tourist Association organizes the Natour Alpe Adria fair. This year there were already 29 in a row. As members of the association, we were also able to participate for free. The fair took place from January 30 to February 3, 2018 at the Economic Exhibition Center in Ljubljana. Our Slovenia is a land of limitless possibilities for a green, active vacation. We can go to the hills, go fishing, or cycle undiscovered routes. If we are hungry, we always find a plate of authentic home-made dishes offered by our farms and homemade ‘inns’. More than 300 associations of the Tourist Association of Slovenia could be seen at the fair.
We presented ourselves in Hall C, which is reserved for tourist associations and associations. We were present at this year’s fair for only two days from February 2 to 3. The main purpose of our presentation at the very interesting stands was the promotion of events and offers in the Jablaniška Valley. The biggest emphasis was on the presentation of the Jablaniška pohod, which will take place this year on March 7, we also invited you to the day of strawberries and asparagus and to the delicacies of the Jablaniška valley. As part of our presentation, we also tried to present our natural and cultural gems to our visitors, such as the collection of Sava pebbles, the church of St. Magdalene. At the fair, we missed representatives who have the status of RDO (Development Destination Organization), which is a tourist center in Slovenia. We lacked representatives from Bled, Postojna and Goriška. We believe that participation in the fair should be mandatory for all organizations that have acquired the title of RDO.
Our booth
On Friday, due to the bad weather, there were not many visitors, but we made good use of this to establish mutual contacts between individual societies. Good acquaintances were made, so we hope that they will visit us as soon as possible and experience our hospitality. On Saturday, when the weather improved a little, the Laz association was represented by the herbalist Pavla Rozina, who is already an old acquaintance at the aforementioned fair. With her energy, she knew how to attract many visitors. She attracted the visitors with an excellent herbal tea, which of course she prepares herself. Visitors listened to her with pleasure as she shared her great knowledge of herbs.
Herbalist Pavla with a visitor
The event at the fair was happy and relaxed. There was a lot of laughter and singing, as is usual for tourist associations. Providers at the stands offered homemade food and drinks. Of course, most of it was pastries, as befits this pre-holiday season. All the providers were happy to offer their delicacies to the visitors, who came in larger numbers on Saturday, when the weather calmed down a bit than on Friday. Folk Slovenian songs were heard at the fair, visitors, as well as providers, were happy to sing along. At the fair, we could see many national costumes from all over Slovenia. Associations were also presented, the basic activity of which is to present the historical heritage of their places, so that we could admire beautiful clothes from past historical periods.
The Jablaniška valley and its apple march are becoming recognizable among Slovenians. We successfully established contacts with exhibitors and visitors, despite the bad weather. We look forward to future events organized by the association and we invite you to attend them on this occasion.