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Tourism

Industry grown with independence

Slovakia’s tourism industry has grown remarkably since the country’s independence in 1993. By the late 1990s the country was receiving more than 500,000 visitors each year, which was a vast increase on previous decades. Slovakia’s historic towns and popular mountain ski resorts are currently the most popular tourist destinations, while there is an established spa tourism industry.

EU country to watch

Slovakia is an up-and-coming European Union country with regards to tourism. In 2006, Slovakia attracted 30.6 million visitors. Nearly half of the foreign tourists come from neighbouring Eastern European countries: the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. German and Austrian visitors make up a further 15% of tourists. Food and general tourist expenses in Slovakia are largely much lower than countries in Western Europe, but prices are currently adapting very quickly to the continental market. Its natural features such as caves and national parks are fast becoming known throughout Europe and are adding to the country’s historical and skiing attractions.

Folk culture

Slovakia has a folk culture all of its own; a traditional feel that is evident not only in the smaller historic towns, but also in the larger and more modern capital, Bratislava. There is currently very little evidence of the wide-spread commercialism that is seen across Western Europe and is beginning to seep into Eastern Europe with the expansion of the EU. The country has a surprisingly rich cultural life, with villages that still hold strong peasant traditions, particularly the villages found along the High Tatras mountain range. Slovaks themselves are extremely friendly, open and helpful - often prepared to go out of their way to welcome foreigners.

Sense of history

Due to Slovakia's geographical position in the centre of Europe and the country's rich patchwork of a history (it was once part of the multicultural Kingdom of Hungary, at another time part of Czechoslovakia), most cities and towns are similar to the cities in the Czech Republic, Austria or Hungary, and have an evident sense of history. Almost every town in Slovakia has a historic centre with at least one square that has been lovingly preserved. This is particularly the case in Bratislava, Kosice, Banska Stiavnica, and Levoca. Some towns even have their own castles, for example in Kremnica, Bratislava, and Banska Stiavnica. Historic tourism makes up a large part of the appeal of Slovakia to the traveller.

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Documents and Reports

	Slovakia property investment report (425Kb)
Documents and Reports

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