At the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology issued a decision that the LAZ Association meets all the conditions for obtaining the status. This is a great confirmation of the association’s work so far, as according to the latest data from the aforementioned ministry, 14 organizations have obtained this title. By acquiring this status, the LAZ association will form a working group that will have knowledge and experience in the field of tourism and strengthen them with young people who will recognize in tourism an opportunity to gain experience, perhaps even for employment.
The LAZ Association successfully carries out tasks and activities in the public interest that are important for the development of tourism, such as organizing and implementing events (e.g. a hike along the Jablaniška path, a summer museum night, a day of strawberries and asparagus, the goodness of the Jablaniška Valley, etc.), planning and implementation Informative and promotional activities (promotion at the Natour Alpe-Adria fair, release of promotional materials), development and maintenance of public areas intended for tourists (e.g. Jablaniška poti).
The LAZ association raises awareness and encourages the local population for a positive attitude towards tourists and tourism. In its decision-making, the commission also took into account that the granting of the status to the LAZ association could contribute to the promotion of the development of tourism in the tourist area, which is still relatively poorly developed in terms of tourism, as in this way the urgently needed activities aimed at connecting tourism providers could be strengthened.
In order for the association to acquire the status of a legal entity that works in the public interest in the field of promoting the development of tourism, it must meet the conditions as stipulated in Article 15 of the Act on the Promotion of Tourism ZRST:
– has been operating for at least two years at the national level or within the tourist area (a tourist area is a geographically rounded area of one or more municipalities that offers a certain network of tourist services or an integral tourist product (from overnight stay, food, entertainment, recreation services to other leisure services and other services) for which the tourist chooses it as his travel destination.),
– If it operates within the framework of a tourist area: it has obtained the consent of the municipalities within this tourist area,
– has activities that are in the public interest in the field of promoting the development of tourism, defined in its founding act (statute),
– For the last two years, it has mainly used its funds to carry out activities that are in the public interest in the field of promoting the development of tourism,
– during the last two years, it regularly implemented programs, projects or other activities for the realization of a purpose and goals that are in the public interest,
– has developed programs of its future operation and
– has demonstrated important achievements in its operation.
An association that has the status and works in the public interest in the field of promoting the development of tourism at the national level can obtain funds from the state budget for the implementation of tourism policy measures and activities (e.g. marketing of a comprehensive tourist offer, international cooperation, development of personnel in tourism, etc.) (first paragraph 16. Article in conjunction with Article 9 of the Act on the Promotion of Tourism Development ZRST). It can also receive funds from municipal budgets for the implementation of activities in the public interest in this area (second paragraph of Article 16 of the ZSRT). Municipalities can also transfer to such non-governmental organizations the performance of the tasks of planning, organizing and implementing the policy of promoting the development of tourism, which are within its competence (Article 19 of the ZSRT).
In the association, we are aware of the importance of cooperation and integration of various tourism providers, services and products. That is why we are very active in this area. Even in the future, our desire is to increase the tourist offer and services in the area of the municipality of Šmartne pri Litija and the municipality of Litija, to connect with various institutions and individuals who work in the field of tourism.
