Rural Slovenia is dotted with farms, wine-growing regions, and mountain villages, where alternative accommodations have played a crucial role in regeneration. Farm stays, vineyard guesthouses, and herbal wellness retreats are not just accommodation types; they are lifelines for local communities.
Photo 4: Herbal wellness retreat
Photo Credit: https://charmingslovenia.com/en/
By staying in these places, guests directly contribute to the preservation of cultural landscapes and traditional practices. For instance, wine tourism in Goriška Brda and herbal tourism in Savinja Valley highlight how accommodation providers integrate heritage with modern hospitality (Slovenian Tourist Board, 2023).
Source: https://www.slovenia.info/en/things-to-do/slovenia-unique-experiences
Alternative accommodations in rural Slovenia play a vital role in promoting sustainable tourism by revitalizing local economies and preserving the cultural landscape. Such accommodations, such as eco-friendly lodges and farm stays, provide an immersive experience that highlights Slovenia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. The integration of alternative accommodations into rural tourism leads to several positive outcomes.
First, they support local economies by encouraging tourists to spend money on locally sourced goods and services. This economic support extends to local artisans, food producers, and service providers, helping preserve traditional crafts and cuisines (Verbole, 2000). The collaborative nature of rural tourism also aids in reducing isolation among providers and fosters a sense of community, which is crucial for sustainable development (Clarke 1999).
Photo 5: Locally sourced goods
Second, alternative accommodations contribute to environmental sustainability by minimizing the ecological footprint of tourism. Many lodgings implement eco-friendly practices, such as using renewable energy sources, employing waste reduction strategies, and maintaining local biodiversity by supporting agro-tourism and wildlife conservation efforts. This approach is essential for maintaining Slovenia’s landscapes, which are central to its tourism appeal (Iannucci et al. 2022).
Moreover, the political and social dimensions of tourism development align with sustainable practices. Local governance and policies in Slovenia have been increasingly supportive of sustainable tourism initiatives, working towards harmonizing the interests of local communities with tourism growth (Mihalič et al., 2016). This synergy between community involvement and tourism governance ensures that tourism development is both community centric and environmentally responsible.
By providing unique and authentic experiences, alternative accommodation attracts tourists seeking more than just conventional leisure, thereby spreading tourist visits across previously undervisited areas. This distribution helps alleviate pressure on well-known tourist spots, reducing the risk of over-tourism and contributing to balanced growth in different regions ( Verbole, 2000 ; Simeanu et al., 2025 ).
In summary, Slovenia’s alternative accommodations are instrumental in fostering sustainable tourism by promoting local economic growth, encouraging environmental conservation, and ensuring community involvement. These factors collectively contributed to the revival and sustainable development of rural Slovenia, making it a model for rural tourism in similar post-socialist contexts.
Epic Stays identify these best practices to demonstrate how tourism can become a driver of rural resilience. Slovenia’s examples highlight the importance of integrating accommodations into broader community development.
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:
Iannucci, G., Randelli, F., Martellozzo, F. (2022). Sustainable development of rural areas: A dynamic model of tourism exploitation and landscape decline. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 32(3), 991–1016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00191-022-00785-4
Verbole, A. (2000). Actors, Discourses and Interfaces of Rural Tourism Development at the Local Community Level in Slovenia: Social and Political Dimensions of the Rural Tourism Development Process. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 8(6), 479–490. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580008667381
Mihalič, T., Šegota, T., Knežević Cvelbar, L., & Kuščer, K. (2016). The influence of the political environment and destination governance on sustainable tourism development: A study by Bled, Slovenia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(11), 1489–1505. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1134557
Clarke, J. (1999). Marketing structures for farm tourism: Beyond the individual providers of rural tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 7(1), 26–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669589908667325
Simeanu, C., Mintaș, O.-S., Hoha, G.-V., Andronachi, V.-C., Davidescu, M. A., Simeanu, D., & Usturoi, A. (2025). Rural Tourism – A Factor of Sustainable Development for the Traditional Rural Area of Bucovina, Romania. Mdpi Ag. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202503.1052.v1
