Sustainable tourism in Bela Krajina
Sustainable tourism? No, normal tourism.
Sustainable tourism is a key focus of Slovenian tourism, which focuses on long-term development and taking into account environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects. It is a balanced approach that allows tourism to benefit the environment as well as local people, businesses, and visitors.
Sustainable tourism is not only about protecting nature but also about looking after the economy and social relations. The World Tourism Organisation defines it as responsible tourism that respects the environment as well as the needs of people and local communities.
Sustainable tourism is based on four pillars:
1. Economic: It focuses on the competitiveness of tourism destinations and businesses so that they can thrive and benefit in the long term.
2. Environmental: It is about reducing pollutants and waste, preserving nature and its biodiversity, and improving the quality of the landscape.
3. Socio-cultural: Sustainable tourism respects local communities, their heritage, and traditions while improving the quality of life.
4. Climate: Reducing the impact of tourism on the climate and adapting the tourism offer to climate change.
Sustainable tourism should:
- Optimise the exploitation of natural resources, and preserve ecological processes and natural heritage and biodiversity.
- Respect the cultural heritage of local communities and contribute to intercultural understanding.
- Ensure long-term economic stability that generates benefits for all concerned, including the creation of jobs and social services, and helps to reduce poverty.
White, green, sustainable
The tourist destination Bela Krajina consists of three municipalities: Črnomelj, Metlika, and Semič. It covers 596 km2 and has a population of approximately 27,000 inhabitants. 423 employees work in the field of tourism in Bela Krajina. Tourism in Bela Krajina is based on the principles of sustainable development. Tourism participants protect the natural environment and conserve natural resources. We care for the well-being of local communities and strive to deseasonalize tourist visits.
We are proud of our nature and biodiversity, our cultural heritage, and our safe, healthy environment. Bela Krajina is 69% forest and 15% meadows, 46% of Bela Krajina is classified as Natura 2000, and the special nature protection regime in Bela Krajina is represented by two landscape parks, the Lahinja Landscape Park and the Kolpa Landscape Park. The largest tourist attraction in the destination is the warm Kolpa River, which attracts many visitors to its banks during the bathing season. Tourism stakeholders inform and remind their guests of the guidelines for appropriate behavior in vulnerable areas through the Green Guidelines.
BiKe is an automated bicycle rental system in the Bela Krajina and is part of the DBK Bike system (Dolenjska and Bela Krajina). A total of 14 e-bikes are in use at 4 stations. In addition to the e-bike charging stations, there are 7 e-car charging stations in Bela Krajina.
Bela Kajina joined the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism in 2015. This year marks the tenth year of following the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GST), a national program and certification scheme which, under the umbrella brand SLOVENIA GREEN:
- brings together all efforts for the sustainable development of tourism in Slovenia,
- provides destinations and providers with concrete tools for assessing and improving their sustainable performance,
- promotes this green performance through the Slovenia Green brand.
In 2025, Bela Krajina has 6 Slovenia Green-labelled providers in the destination.
- Rezidenca Ana,
- Villa Sredgora,
- Hotel Bela krajina,
- Glamping Kolpa Resort
- Lovšin Estate,
- Gostilna Müller.
Providers with international sustainability certificates, but so far without Slovenia Green label, are:
- Gostišče Kapušin,
- Hotel Smuk,
- Gostilna Štajdohar,
- Kamp Kolpa.
Green stories, events, experiences
In 2019 and 2024, we were selected as one of the Top 100 GREEN DESTINATION STORIES, which celebrates and promotes 100 destinations and businesses as inspiring examples of sustainable tourism for other destinations, tour operators, and visitors. The stories are assessed on their effectiveness, innovation, and transferability. The 2024 story is available here.
SUSTAINABILITY EVENTS
In 2023, we organized the first Lahinja Trail through the Lahinja Landscape Park. From the very beginning, we organized the event as a Zero Waste event, and in 2024, we became the first 3-star event in Slovenia. More about the event.
Tourism in Bela Krajina protects tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Tourism activities are organized in a way that enables the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural products, handicrafts, folklore, and other cultural elements of Bela Krajina. Sustainable events include traditional events such as Vuzem, Jurjevo, and Jurjevanje, which nurture the ethnological heritage of Bela Krajina.
We have prepared Green Guidelines for organizers of events in Bela Krajina.
With Tastes of Bela Krajina since 2014, we have been highlighting the most distinctive and unique Bela Krajina cuisine, made from locally produced and seasonally fresh ingredients from Bela Krajina producers, and reducing our carbon footprint through short supply chains. Tourism stakeholders are taking action to reduce waste and food waste. By supporting local farmers, entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and others, we are also TKBZ Belokranjsko we have taken a step towards sustainability.
In Bela krajina we offer experiences that incorporate sustainable lifestyle elements, exploring local cultural heritage, nature, and cuisine. You can learn how to knead and bake a traditional flatbread or make your Easter Egg in the company of local women. The baking of the Flatbread Belokranjska Pogača has been certified as a Slovenia Unique Experience in 2024.
