Today’s travellers are motivated by authenticity, nature, and well-being, and Slovenia delivers on all fronts. Guests increasingly choose glamping resorts near Lake Bled, vineyard cottages in Dolenjska, or forest lodges in Pohorje because they want immersive and memorable experiences. (OECD, 2021)
Source: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2020/03/oecd-tourism-trends-and-policies-2020_7cfc4549.html
Photo 8: Forest lodge in Pohorje
Photo Credit: https://www.sloveniaholidays.com/eng/green-village-rusevec-lodges-apartments-pohorje.html
These alternative accommodations reflect a shift away from mass tourism towards sustainable guest-centered travel. Surveys show that European travellers value eco-friendly practices, unique designs, and cultural immersion — all areas where Slovenia excels. (OECD, 2021)
Source: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2020/03/oecd-tourism-trends-and-policies-2020_7cfc4549.html
Guests in Slovenia are increasingly choosing alternative accommodations over traditional hotels for several reasons.
- Authenticity and Local Experience: A primary motivation for selecting alternative accommodation, such as Airbnb, is the perceived authenticity they offer. Guests are attracted to the potential for genuine local experience and immersive cultural interactions that are often unavailable in traditional hotels. This desire for authenticity is a significant factor that drives satisfaction and loyalty among tourists in the peer-to-peer accommodation sector (Lalicic and Weismayer, 2017).
- Cost-effectiveness and Amenities: Alternative accommodations often provide a more cost-effective option than hotels, allowing travelers to extend their stay or allocate more budget to experiences rather than lodging. Additionally, these accommodations frequently offer amenities, such as kitchens and living spaces, providing a homelike environment that enhances comfort and convenience ( Guttentag, 2013 ; Önder et al., 2018 ).
- Hybrid Motivations: Travelers often select alternative lodging because of a mix of hedonic and utilitarian motivations. Unlike the purely experiential appeal of boutique hotels, platforms such as Airbnb cater to both emotional and practical needs, offering a blend of unique experiences and practical benefits (Volz and Volgger, 2022).
- Location and Accessibility: Alternative accommodations are often located in diverse neighborhoods, providing easy access to local attractions, nightlife, and cultural spots beyond the central business districts. This locational advantage not only offers convenience, but also enriches the travel experience by placing guests closer to local life and attractions (Xu et al., 2019).
- Spillover Benefits to Traditional Accommodation: Interestingly, the growth in demand for Airbnb and similar platforms in less frequented areas of Slovenia might contribute to the overall growth of the regional tourism sector. This includes creating demand for traditional accommodations, as travelers exploring alternative options may extend their stays to include hotel experiences (Leick et al., 2021).
In conclusion, the rise of alternative accommodations in Slovenia is largely due to their ability to offer a more authentic, personalized, and economically adaptable travel experience, which aligns well with modern travellers’ preferences for unique and meaningful travel encounters.
Aligning with these trends, Slovenia positions itself as a leader in alternative accommodation and sustainable tourism models.
Source: https://etc-corporate.org/reports/european-tourism-2023-trends-prospects-q4-2023/
The Epic Stays Contribution to European Alternative Tourism
Epic Stays facilitate cross-border learning, ensuring that best practices from each country are shared and implemented across Europe. The project aligns with the EU objectives to enhance alternative accommodation through the following:
• Training and Education: Equipping SMEs with knowledge of sustainability, heritage tourism, and digital transformation. See the Modules and Case Studies sections.
• Networking and Collaboration: Creating a pan-European community of alternative accommodation providers. Connect and join our hybrid conferences or clinics.
• Quality and Standards Development: Promoting consistency in alternative tourism while celebrating national uniqueness.
“Diversity is the strength of European tourism. By learning from each other, we create a more sustainable and immersive travel experience.” European Travel Commission.
A Collective Path to Tourism Excellence Each European country offers a distinct alternative tourism experience, shaped by cultural traditions, policy frameworks, and regional priorities. Epic Stays ensure that these unique approaches contribute to a high-quality, innovative, and sustainable European tourism sector.
References:
Lalicic, L. and Weismayer, C. (2017). The Role of Authenticity in Airbnb Experiences (pp. 781–794). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51168-9_56
Xu, F., Hu, M., La, L., Wang, J., & Huang, C. (2019). Influence of neighborhood environment on Airbnb: A geographically weighted regression analysis. Tourism Geographies, 22(1), 192–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2019.1586987
Volz, J., & Volgger, M. (2022). Does Airbnb offer hedonic and utilitarian products? Experimental analysis of motivations for using Airbnb. Current Issues in Tourism, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), 3591–3606. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2022.2041564
Önder, I., Gunter, U., & Weismayer, C. (2018). Spatial price dependencies between traditional accommodation and sharing economies. Tourism Economics, 25(8), 1150–1166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816618805860
Leick, B., Kivedal, B. K., Eklund, M. A., & Vinogradov, E. (2021). Exploring the relationship between Airbnb and traditional accommodations for regional variations in tourism markets. Tourism Economics, 28(5), 1258–1279. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816621990173
