In 2011, Slovenia was visited by 7 percent more tourists, who created 5 percent more overnight stays than in 2010, while the number of foreign tourists and their overnight stays increased by as much as 9 percent. Compared to Europe and the world, Slovenian tourism is again recording above-average results. Another very important piece of information is the fact that in 2011, foreign tourists spent over €2 billion in Slovenia for the first time ever. In January 2012, good results continue.

According to the data published by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (detailed information) for 2011, tourist accommodation facilities in Slovenia that have at least 10 permanent beds have recorded nearly 3.2 million tourist arrivals, which is 7 percent more than in 2010. Together, they created more than 9.2 million overnight stays, which is 5 percent more than the year before. Most of these – nearly a million – were created by Italian tourists.

A detailed examination reveals that last year, Slovenia recorded an impressive growth in the number of foreign tourists and their overnight stays amounting to 9 percent. What is especially pleasing is the growth in the number of tourists coming from traditionally-important markets for Slovenian tourism: Germany by 13 percent (overnights: +12 percent), Austria by 10 percent (overnights: +9 percent), and Italy by 2 percent (overnights: +2 percent).

Slovenia has also observed a positive trend in the number of tourists coming from Russia (+27 percent), the Benelux countries (+18 percent), Hungary (+14 percent), Croatia (+7 percent), Serbia (+6 percent), and Great Britain and Ireland (+2 percent). A strong growth has also been noted in the number of tourists coming from Asia (China, Korea, and other Asian countries, which altogether recorded as much as a 51 percent growth in the number of tourists).

In 2011, the number of domestic tourists has grown as well (+4 percent), while the number of their overnight stays in 2011 remained approximately at the same level as in 2010.

According to the latest data provided by the Bank of Slovenia, Slovenian tourism has earned €2.129 billion for the first time in its history with revenues from the export of travel, which is 10 percent more than in 2010 and represents a 42.6 percent share in the export of services in the balance of payments of the Republic of Slovenia.

Compared to January 2011, in January 2012, 4 percent more tourist arrivals and 2 percent more overnight stays were registered in tourist accommodations (the number of overnight stays of domestic tourists increased by 3 percent and of foreign tourists by 2 percent).