Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
economically very important in the mountain areas but it is nowhere the only eco-
nomic activity. At the state level tourism presents 3.5% of GDP. There is a steady
growth of summer visitors of the mountains while the skiing industry is in decline
because of lack of snow in recent winters, unfavourable topographic conditions (ele-
vation, ruggedness of limestone slopes) and lack of capital to invest in competitive
infrastructure and services. All bigger ski resorts invest more and more in promotion
of summer activities. In the National Strategy of Tourism Development (up to 2006)
mountains were seen as one of the key areas of tourism development. New Strategy
2007-2011 defines no priority areas but its objective is strengthening of destination
management with better involvement of supplement activities of the environment to
a tourist offer.
One of the fresh ideas in tourism, which has succeeded, is International Wild
Flower Festival. It is organised at the end of May and at the beginning of June in
Bohinj, which is one of the top locations in the Julian Alps. Already the second
festival brought enormous raise in tourists. Festival proved that tourism based on
natural resources and attractions can have much wider positive effects than tourism
with hard infrastructure. Besides good economical effects it also prolongs summer
season.
16.2.5 Protected Areas
Slovenian nature protection policy defines different protected areas (not directly
linked to IUCN categories): national park, regional parks, landscape parks, forest
reserves and natural monuments. Protected areas cover 11% of the Slovenian terri-
tory (35% together with Natura 2000 areas). The parks are designated mainly for
nature protection and protection of the cultural landscapes. Recently, sustainable
development at the local level is becoming a more important objective. There is a
trend of increased understanding that protected areas should be closely linked to
providing opportunities to the local population.
The only national park in Slovenia is Triglav National Park (TNP) in the Julian
Alps. It measures 880 km
2
, which is 4% of the Slovenian territory. Within today
borders it was established in 1981 but first protection legally started in 1924 what
places the park in the position of one of the oldest in Europe. It plays an important
role as a tourist attraction on the national level. Although public institution, as man-
aging authority, primarily cares for nature protection, there are some good examples
of successful cooperation. With the help of funds from the Act on reconstruction
of the Soca Valley after earthquake and TNP funds the info centre in the Trenta
Valley was constructed, which is not only an info point for tourists but also has a
strong social role to keep the remote valley alive. With the help of TNP a remote
depopulated village Cadrg was revitalised at the end of the 1990s, which is now the
best practice for mountain areas how cooperation between inhabitants and public
authorities can lead to good results.
One of the best practices, known to the whole Alps, is the Logarska Valley
(Logarska dolina). Logarska dolina is an Alpine valley in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps
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