Eastern European Countries See Visitor Increase

Central and Eastern Europe are continuing to see a steady increase in visitors. The Slovenian Tourism Board, for example, is reporting that the country saw "a moderate growth of arrivals and overnight stays at Slovenian tourist destinations" in the first six months of the year.

The number of foreign tourists in the half year rose by 6 percent, creating a 4 percent increase of overnight stays. There were one per cent fewer domestic tourists recorded in the first half year, creating a 3 percent decrease in overnight stays; however, in June, the number of domestic tourists rose again by a surprising 8 percent.

The provisional data provided by the Slovenian Statistical Office (SORS) for the first half of 2012 reveals a more moderate growth of the number of tourist arrivals and their overnight stays at Slovenian tourist destinations. The total number of tourist arrivals in the period between January and June grew by 3 percent, creating a 1 percent increase of overnight stays compared to the same period last year. In June 2012, the total number of tourists grew by 2 percent, while overnight stays by tourists fell by 2 percent.

In the first half of the year, 6 percent more foreign tourists visited Slovenia and generated 4 percent more overnight stays. A positive trend was noted in overnights stays by Dutch (+29 percent) and Russian (+29 percent) tourists. Growth was also recorded with Austrian guests (overnight stays +6 percent), Croatian guests (overnight stays +6 percent) and German guests (overnight stays +4 percent). It is also delightful to note that growth in the key markets of Slovenian tourism was recorded in the first half of the year.