Visits to Slovenian natural Spas in the first half of the year and in the hot and partly stormy summer generally exceed last year’s results, and according to the  Slovenian Spas Association members, the prospects for the rest of the summer are even slightly better.

An important focus this year is the search for a variety of accommodation capacities, both in hotels and in non-hotel accommodation (apartments, campsites, mobile homes, glamping sites). There is also a noticeable demand for renovated facilities, especially of a higher quality and price class, which undoubtedly justifies all investments, especially for the target group of couples and guests who want a more individual, boutique vacation. A noticeable trend is also the search for the possibility of trips to the surroundings, both on walking and hiking paths and bicycle trips. Investing in environmentally friendly programs and obtaining the Slovenia Green environmental mark in many Slovenian natural Spas also play an important role in raising awareness among guests. All these measures are not recognizable at first glance, but investments in, for example, returning unused thermal water to aquifers are certainly a measure for the future and, as such, very important.

The structure of guests is expected, with a slight drop in the number of domestic guests, who were still using tourist vouchers at the beginning of 2022. In addition to guests from neighbouring countries and Germany, the increased number of guests from the so-called Visegrad group, especially from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, and now at the peak of the season, also guests from Benelux, is particularly impressive. By the end of the summer and further, into the fall, we hope for slightly better results due to short-term decisions and reservations.

Further information prepared by individual Spa companies can be found below:

TERME ČATEŽ THERMAL SPA

This year, Terme Čatež received two flattering awards for Terme Village – camp, namely ‘The best Slovenian camp’ according to ADAC and ACSI. More at https://www.terme-catez.si/en/events-and-news/2023/07/4619-Camp-Terme-Catez-is-once-again-the-best-camp-in-Slovenia 

For decades, Terme Čatež has been synonymous with tourism 365 days, we are open all year round, and in the summer months the occupancy is even higher due to the holidays of domestic and foreign guests.

At the beginning of the summer, the resort presented and offered guests a new application that enables the purchase of all-day tickets for the Thermal Riviera and valuable gift vouchers for all the services of Terme Čatež.

TERME DOBRNA THERMAL SPA

During the entire first half of the year, the resort recorded good occupancy of accommodation capacities in Terme Dobrna, comparable to last year. In this year’s summer months, they expect an additional increase compared to last year.

Compared to last year, the resort has noticed changes in the share of occupancy by foreign guests in 2023. As expected, the number of visitors from abroad increased, with the largest number of German, Austrian and Italian guests.

In the first half of the year, they opened a renovated Hotel Švicarija in Terme Dobrna, which has come to life perfectly and is very popular among guests both in the summer months and in the autumn and winter, the right choice for all those who swear by wellness pampering. With the included wellness and spa offer available at Hotel Švicarija, Terma Dobrna is thus expanding its accommodation boutique complex, which also includes Spa Suite apartments and Boutique Hotel Dobrna.

TERME KRKA THERMAL SPAS

According to their estimates, the 2023 summer season will be similar to the summers of previous years – they expect loyal domestic guests both in the Terme Šmarješke Toplice and Terme Dolenjske Toplice, as well as in the coastal Talas Strunjan. Also, they are recording a lot of reservations by foreign guests. Most of them are from Italy and other neighbouring countries, as well as Germany and the Czech Republic.

Classic thermal vacations, accommodation in the renovated Strunjan Lagoon and holidays with elements of mindfulness are at the forefront in the Terme Dolenjske Toplice. This year, guests are choosing longer vacation stays of a few days – they are interested in attractive, modern and uniquely equipped accommodation units, beautifully landscaped natural surroundings, safe and well-kept swimming pools, an offer of various relaxation and sports activities and getting to know the environment.

They want high-quality and above-standard services, food made from top-quality local ingredients, and above all, personal treatment. Terme Krka offers them all this – as an authentic experience.

THERMANA LAŠKO THERMAL SPA

Occupancy in July and in the first half of the year is in line with the company’s expectations and plans. In the month of July, they recorded more domestic guests than foreign guests. The structure of foreign markets is very diverse, from Italian, Belgian, Austrian, Croatian guests and others. They are also satisfied with the trend of bookings for the coming months and expect slightly higher occupancy than last year.

Already in the past years, with the dispersion of tourist flows, Thermana Laško achieved that there are no seasonal fluctuations in occupancy or are minimal. Every year, they carefully select updates to their offer, both in terms of content and additional offers.

SAVA TOURISM

Occupancy in the first half of this year in the Sava Hotels & Resorts group was good in all seven resorts – Sava Hoteli Bled, Terme Ptuj, Terme 3000 – Moravske Toplice, Zdravilišče Radenci, St. Bernardin resort Portorož, San Simon resort Izola and Salinera resort Strunjan, comparable or even higher in some places compared to last year.

Based on the current demand in the Sava Hotels & Resorts group, they estimate that occupancy during the summer holidays will also be good.

For this summer, a structure of 30% domestic guests and 70% foreign guests is indicated. Guests from the following foreign countries predominate Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Croatia…

This year, the proportion of foreign guests is increasing, especially those who arrive by car. Visegrad markets are growing, overseas markets are slowly picking up.

This year, the following renovations are planned and carried out:

HEALTH RESORT ZDRAVILIŠČE RADENCI

An increase in the number of various saunas and restrooms in the Zdravilišče Radenci will meet the demand and wishes of our guests.

TERME 3000 – MORAVSKE TOPLICE THERMAL SPA

At Terme 3000 – Moravske Toplice, they operate sustainably, as it is important to the company that the operations put as little burden on nature as possible. For bathing and heating needs, they pump close to 1 million cubic Liters of thermal water every year. The underground base from which this water comes has enough water and its level is not falling. However, in order to ensure this for future generations, they decided to return part of the pumped water to the bowels of the earth and thus ensure that future generations will also be able to enjoy the beneficial effects of the black thermo-mineral water without hesitation.

SAVA HOTELS & RESORTS

In recent years, they have carried out several energy-saving investment measures, i.e. energy rehabilitation of buildings, such as thermal envelopes, replacement of joinery and rehabilitation of energy systems, which affect energy savings. They have implemented quite a few energy-saving measures in recent years as part of a more sustainable operating concept (energy-saving light bulbs, faucet aerators, waste compression). These measures, both sustainable and cost-saving, naturally do not affect the comfort of guests.

In the long term, they will focus on the introduction of new alternative energy sources, such as solar energy for the preparation of hot sanitary water and the additional use of geothermal energy.

OLIMIA THERMAL SPA

At Terme Olimia, they are very satisfied with the number of visits and occupancy, as it has significantly exceeded last year’s, with the biggest difference in apartments.

They are aware of the importance of protecting nature and accordingly strive to maintain a healthy and clean environment. Economical behaviour directs them to the set goal: to preserve the natural environment, which ennobles their offer. The advantage is that they include all environmental aspects in a comprehensive way, on the one hand, in existing processes, and on the other, in development and investment projects.

In 2022, they obtained the Green Key sustainability label, a leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation in the tourism industry. The obtained standard means the company’s commitment to comply with the strict criteria set by the International Foundation for Environmental Education FEE.

LIFECLASS HOTELS & SPA PORTOROŽ

In the first half of the year, occupancy was at the level of last year. In terms of occupancy, the summer season will also be comparable to the previous year. According to the current data, the month of July is still slightly behind last year, but the prospects for August are better for the time being compared to 2022. According to the reservations, the situation changes daily – the performance in July will mainly depend on the second half of the month. So far, it shows similar occupancy results as we recorded last year.

This year, as expected, there were fewer Slovenian guests, but they were replaced by guests from Austria, Italy, Germany and the Visegrad markets (Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic). The biggest shift is recorded in the mentioned Visegrad markets, and Hungary (we noticed this already last year) and the Czech Republic (a big shift compared to last year) stands out among them. Overnight stays by Italian guests also increased in July and August.

TERME ZREČE THERMAL SPA

Terme Zreče generated 10,740 overnight stays this July so far, which is 3.6% more than in July 2022, while in the first half of 2023, they generated 56,465 overnight stays, which is 10% more than in the same period of 2022.

In July, they counted the most Slovenian guests at Terme Zreče, namely 65%. Among foreigners, most guests come from the Czech Republic, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Israel, Italy, Kuwait and Belgium.

In the continuation of the summer season, the number of overnight stays remains at the same level as last year. Based on current demand and the trend of last-minute bookings, which also depend on weather conditions, they expect that the number of overnight stays will increase significantly in the coming weeks.

In Unitur, this summer they are focusing on the exclusive connection of the thermal spa Terme Zreče and the mid-mountain Center Rogla, as well as on upgrading active and green experiences.

Otherwise, this summer too, they are paying special attention to the content and quality of our offer, both in Terme Zreče and Rogla, focusing mainly on upgrading the experience offer for families, programs based on healthy, green and active experiences and the creation of culinary stories that offer a synergy between the rich culinary tradition of our places and modern trends in a healthy way of eating, which include fresh, locally produced foods and nutritional products.

Find out more about Slovenian thermal spas at: slovenia-spa.si.