Destination Podčetrtek, which follows the national trends of tourism development and which in 2017 joined the Green Scheme of Slovenian tourism and creating 5* boutique tourist experiences, allows tourists an active and healthy stay in the embrace of “green” nature, achieving personal satisfaction and inner peace.

INDICATORS OF DEVELOPMENT

Tourism of destination Podčetrtek, Bistrica ob Sotli and Kozje is an industry which successfully connects the economic, civil and public sectors of the destination with the aim of economically successful, and socially and environmentally sustainable use of cultural and natural resources. All participants in tourism use tourist resources responsibly and thus contribute to the satisfaction of all those involved in tourism.

Destination Podčetrtek, which follows the national trends of tourism development and which in 2017 joined the Green Scheme of Slovenian tourism and creating 5* boutique tourist experiences, allows tourists an active and healthy stay in the embrace of “green” nature, achieving personal satisfaction and inner peace.

Our tourist offer is based on nature and culture, it is of high quality, professional, traditional and has a touch of homeliness, thus enabling quality coexistence of the locals and tourists. What makes us most proud is the fact that the Destination EIG Podčetrtek significantly contributes to the reputation and attractiveness of Slovenia in the international tourist markets.

We build tourism on the foundation of thermal water, natural and cultural features and other implemented elements of the tourist offer (e.g. Aqualuna adventure water park, Podčetrtek multipurpose sports hall, Olimje Monastery and Pharmacy, Jelenov greben, Podsreda castle, Svete gore, etc.). Around 105,000 tourists visit the tourist destination on a yearly basis, which ranks the destination among the 10 most visited destinations in Slovenia.

In 2017, Destination EIG Podčetrtek joined the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism and in 2018 was also awarded a gold Slovenia Green certificate. Many of our green projects have helped us prove that we represent the Slovenia Green label in a quality manner and we encourage all stakeholders in tourism to implement sustainable behaviour practices in tourism, both within our destination and elsewhere. Under the auspices of the “Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism”, we implement green policies and create green experiences.

GREEN ENVIRONMENT – GREEN PRIDE

Podčetrtek also goes by the name of Green Destination, where green-minded people live and where green-minded tourists visit

When it comes to natural resources, our greatest pride is the Kozjansko Regional Park, which covers an area of 206 km² and is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in Slovenia. Most of the park belongs to the EU’s important special protection areas – the NATURA 2000 development, which is determined by two directives:

• The Birds Directive – for the preservation of wild birds
• The Habitats Directive – for the preservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora

PROJECTS WHICH HAVE IMPROVED NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

Sustainable mobility of the Sotla valley, opening of the Rudnica Tower of Health and Joy, opening of the Castle Trail, opening of Emma’s Thematic Route.

The municipality of Podčetrtek, also known as the Green Destination, has very well-developed hiking and cycling routes of different lengths, levels of difficulty and route types (both road cycling and mountain biking). Cycling routes are equipped with descriptions of key experiences or tourist-oriented products along an individual cycling route, the level of difficulty assessed and the estimated optimal time for the experience. The cycling and hiking routes have been purposefully designed and are intended for free use; tourists can obtain these at the local tourist information centre or from major tourist providers at the destination.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

One of the most important tourist-oriented products of our destination is still the Olimje Monastery, which was built around the year 1015.  Part of tourist offer are also:

• tour of the church,
• tour of the old pharmacy,
• tour of the herb garden,
• tour of the herbal shop, where one can also make a purchase.

When it comes to cultural heritage, we must not leave out Slovenia’s most castle-like castle, the Podsreda Castle. As the most characteristic Romanesque castle in Slovenia, it is one of those castles to which historians have always paid slightly more attention, mainly so due to its good condition. The German form of the castle’s name bears witness to the old age of the building. There are several rooms in the castle which, for their architectural features, deserve special attention. This year, the castle will gain 6 accommodation capacities, which have been oriented towards green and sustainable tourism from the earliest strategy planning stages.

The tradition of our region is enriched every year by the KOZJANSKO APPLE FESTIVAL, famous across Slovenia. The excellent park practice of care for the high-trunk meadow orchards results in healthy apples, which are “more than just fruit”, in a preserved landscape, nature and in an environmentally friendly, sustainable development.

The Kozjansko Apple Festival is one of those events which have a significant impact on the recognizability of the Kozjansko region, and the fair is described as a “soulful environmental fair”. The event’s goal is to demonstrate the work and efforts in the protection of natural values and the preservation of the agricultural landscape of the Kozjansko region, whose essential recognizable landscape element are the high-trunk meadow orchards with old varieties of apple trees.

OUR DESTINATION IS OUR PEOPLE

100,000 Facebook likes = 1413 coins of human kindness

We often wonder what it is that the social media actually contributes to the development of society. Do we benefit from them or are these just a waste of our time? Terme Olimia, with its eternal and renowned mission of joviality and help to fellow human beings, has once again proved that, if we so wish, kindness is omnipresent. Yes, even on Facebook. In cooperation with Mala hiša za otroke (Children’s Little House) at Pilštanj and with the help of loyal followers and thermal hedonists from all over the world, in just 48 hours a total of 1,413 euros was raised, which was donated to children in need of help, compassion and love. And so, 100,000 likes were celebrated in a glorious way, along with all of them. Mala hiša Pilštanj is located in the heart of the Kozjansko Regional Park, just a step away from the thermal kingdom of Terme Olimia.

As part of the Tourism Development Strategy of the destination Podčetrtek, tourist oriented products were created that intertwine various tourist and catering providers and local growers and producers of local, authentic products. The offer includes sports activities, nature exploration, relaxation, culinary and tasting experiences and authentic learning about the cultural heritage. By intertwining providers of tourist-oriented products, we enable even and fair development of the entire destination. With the implementation of this, we can also expect new jobs opening in tourism in the future, as well as economic development of the destination in this respect.

Informing stakeholders about nature protection

In our wish to remain a green destination, we regularly inform all stakeholders, from providers and residents to visitors, on how they can help keep the destination Podčetrtek green.

• GREEN GUIDELINES FOR YOUR VISIT TO THE DESTINATION PODČETRTEK

Under the auspices of the “Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism”, we implement green policies and create green experiences. The SLOVENIA GREEN certificate, which is a promise of a green future, is also awarded under this national program. From the green nature to green-minded people who create Slovenian tourism, we wish to host green-minded tourists.

• TIPS FOR REDUCING FOOD WASTE

As much as a third of all food produced in the world goes to waste. With the food wasted, the work (time, knowledge) and energy invested in food preparation is wasted along with it. In addition to the social and economic aspects, the environmental aspect of food waste management is also important.

Electricity is one of the fundamental life sources. Without electricity, we could just as well kiss all the electronic devices that make our lives easier goodbye. With the cost of electricity sadly constantly increasing, which is clearly seen on the monthly bills of our providers, we can help reduce electricity consumption by following a few tips.

• REDUCING ENERGY COSTS

We call on all tourist companies of the destination to take measures to further reduction of electricity consumption and to sustainable operation.

• TIPS FOR WASTE SEPARATION

Waste separation these days is an increasingly topical issue which can make an important contribution to solving the problem of excessive waste. About 2.12 billion tons of waste is generated across the globe every year. We can help our environment and nature greatly by starting proper waste separation in our homes.