Letter from Eva Štravs Podlogar
25th November, 2015
Dear All,
I am very pleased with the efforts of the Mediterranean Tourism
Foundation (MTF) with regard to strengthening the potential
for sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
If you ask me whether Slovenia is a Mediterranean country,
I can assure you that it is.
Eva Štravs Podlogar
is the acting Director General for Tourism and Internationalisation
of the Economy Ministry of Slovenia.
By profession, Ms Podlogar is an
economist and long-time director of the
Tourism Bled; the Institute for Tourism
Promotion.
Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps, the
Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain and the Dinaric Alps meet.
It is characterised by the exceptional variation and variety of its
landscapes. In our little piece of Europe nature has combined
mighty Alpine peaks, deep karstic caves, hilly terrain and wide
plains, beautiful lakes, peaceful forests and roaring sea waves.
Despite having just 46.6 kilometres of coastline, Slovenia is
distinctively Mediterranean.
On the Slovenian coast you can find a nature reserve with thick
deposits of marl and sandstone, and the unique Strunjan cliff,
which rises up to 80 metres above the sea, and is the tallest flysch cliff on the Adriatic coast.
Nearby lie the Sečovlje Saltpans, mentioned as early as the 13th century. Due to their exceptional
wealth of natural and cultural heritage, they were proclaimed a nature park in 1989. The towns
of Piran, Izola and Koper epitomise the Mediterranean medieval image. The picturesque centres
of these coastal towns have long histories. Koper has become a cruise destination. Water sports
and water-based tourist attractions play a significant role in Slovenia. Organised regattas, sailing
and cruising are a permanent fixture of the sports and tourism activities on the coast. The
cuisine of the Slovenian co