Click here to download Sandrine’s presentation as a pdf.

Bohinj – Triglav National Park – A Green Oasis for Responsible Tourism

Sandrine Contier-Lawrie, National Trust for Scotland

Agatha christie : it is just too beautiful for a murder – 1967

“Over the centuries, our ancestors have diligently preserved Bohinj’s biodiversity and traditions. Modern generations are proud to take up the baton. We are facing the challenges of modern times with bold plans, establishing foundations for responsible management of this precious space.”

“Bohinj is shaped by the people who live here. We are bound to do this, not only by law and international conventions on environmental protection or commitments to sustainable development. This is our home, which we share with pride and warm hospitality with all those who value it and are willing to respect the “house rules”.

The fact that we are thinking and acting in the right direction is proven by international awards and the fact that we are the first destination with the platinum national label of the Slovenia Green scheme.”

The Vision of the Triglav National Park

In the settled parts of the national park, the primary focus is to safeguard the cultural heritage and landscape quality, which is the result of long-term harmony between nature and man. With the support of competent government bodies, the inhabitants of the Park are ensured suitable economic and social conditions that promote sustainable development of activities that enable and encourage maintenance of populations and high-quality living and working environment, typical identity and traditional use of natural resources.

Conservation of natural and cultural heritage, sustainable development and communication with the general public are the challenges and tasks of the Triglav National Park, which assists the inhabitants and visitors to the Park through active cooperation, helping them become fully aware of the role and importance of protecting nature, cultural heritage and sustainable development in the Alps.

In the protected area of the national park, human settlement requirements and economic activities – iron smelting, charcoal making, forestry and alpine dairy farming – have left their mark on the alpine environment, in particular in the peripheral zone of the park. Man has created cultural landscape.

People First Strategy – the development of the Brand

People first priority:

-People are Soul of the place

-Connect local people to tourism

-Local businesses did not use to buy from local producers- still an issue today , hence establishing the brand

-Include locals to develop the brand – show their local connections so that they can trust you- Find ambassadors so that others will follow – eg of a local priest with a lot of followers on social media!)

-Now certificate not just in food but also tours, experiences, accommodation, arts and crafts

-Farmers know how to make products/cheese but not labels- they do not know how to tell their stories

-So labels and packaging provided for free – produced paper bags they can use (no plastic)0 labels ordered centrally so that it is cheaper – Gift boxes that stakeholders can buy

-In restaurants, aiming to have at least 30% of local products (even pizza, burgers etc)

-35 guided experiences are certified

-Short supply chains

-Small regional brands rather than one big one in order to keep local/regional identity – start in one region and rule out to others

-Range of criteria to include connection to the local area, sustainability etc – only cost 50Euros to be involved

-“Authentically Slovenia” paid by municipalities and project money – Key message is that you can live from your craft and work in collaboration with tourism.

My Key Take Aways from the Trip

I would start by saying it was a wonderful experience. I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity to take part in this learning journey . I have enjoyed every single minute of it ,learned and exchange vision, ideas and best practice with both our Slovenian partners and hosts but also with my Scottish colleagues – which made the entire experience even more fulfilling .

How the destination approaches sustainable tourism , their holistic approach to Heritage & conservation, incorporating natural, built, tangible and intangible heritage were the two areas I was particularly interested in .

Slovenia , the Triglav National Park and Bojhin  , look at themselves as “a green oasis for Sustainable tourism” .The community is at the heart of decision-making .

Faced with a crowded national park and local communities and crafts struggling to survive from traditional activities,  their strategy is to encourage and promote tourism as a way to help the communities thrive while protecting their heritage (build, natural , tangible and intangible) for existing and future generations . Educating the local communities (from school children to farmers) is key to the success of the programme. Tourism is seen as the generator of sustainable change.

It was interesting to hear that their Solvenia Green Platinium Scheme was inspired by the Green Tourism Scheme in Scotland. The Triglav National Park and more particularly Bohjin have now taken it a step further by creating a Triglav Quality Mark and a specific Bohjin brand .