Get to know the green scheme

The Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GSST) is a tool developed at the national level and a certification programme that carries out the following tasks under the SLOVENIA GREEN umbrella brand:

  • brings together all efforts directed towards the sustainable development of tourism in Slovenia,
  • offers tools to destinations and service providers that enable them to evaluate and improve their sustainability endeavours
  • and promotes these green endeavours through the Slovenia Green brand.

Slovenia Green

More than 100 ways for visiting Slovenia in a more sustainable manner! Choose from destinations, accommodations, parks, agencies, attractions, restaurants and beaches that have been awarded the Slovenia Green certificate.

Slovenia Green members

To obtain the Slovenia Green Destination label (Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum), the destinations must meet the Green Destinations Standard criteria, while providers first obtain/present one of internationally recognised labels that are also verified by Slovenia Green in order to obtain Slovenia Green Accommodation/Park/Travel Agency/Attraction/Cuisine/Beach label.

Slovenia's green story

The new promotional documentary Slovenia Green presents Slovenia's green story and, through the stories of locals, destination representatives and tourism providers, tells viewers that Slovenia is a safe destinations with a sustainable offer and unspoilt nature.

Slovenia was declared the first Green Country in the World at the Global Green Destinations Day in 2016.

 

Tips for a green visit to the Kamnik tourist destination

Slovenia is one of the greenest countries on planet Earth. According to the standards of Green Destinations, it is the first country entirely rated green

You have arrived at a green destination. Kamnik in following the path of sustainable development by joining the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. This national programme provides a framework for the award of the Slovenia Green label, which is a commitment to a green future.

By following the instructions below you will help us develop and keep our destination green.

Be green before you even arrive in Kamnik

  • Travel to Kamnik by train, then continue your yourney by bus to reach the tourist attractions in Kamnik region.
  • Seek accommodation at a provider that strives to operate in a sustainable manner throught responsible management of natural resources and waste.

Travel green and preserve the nature and landscape

  • Visit our protected area.
  • Kamnik is perfect for leisurely exploration. Walk on the well-kept and marked trails; every walk outside designated trails can cause biotic imbalances to flora and fauna.
  • Be romantic without stomping on grass to pick flowers.
  • Explore the dynamic landscape by bicycle.

Protect the environment and climate

  • Feel the Kamnik as a green outdoor home. Make sure you separate your waste and deposit it in designated places.
  • In Kamnik you can drink tap water wherever you go. Use a reusable water bottle.
  • Help us preserve Slovenia’s rich water resources by opting for a quick shower instead of a bath, and by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth.
  • Help us conserve energy by using your towels and bed linen more than once.
  • Use environmentally-friendly soaps and cosmetic products that do not damage the delicate natural ecosystems.
  • Do not interfere with natural frequencies – unplug your devices whenever possible.

Respect the culture and tradition

  • The Slovenian language has helped to preserve the country’s culture and made the nation’s sovereignty possible. Pick up a few words and you will be bringing out smiles among the locals all the time. Hello = dober dan, thank you = hvala, how are you? = kako ste?, this is good = to je zelo dobro.
  • Buy local by visiting shops selling local produce and products.
  • Support local food producers; support farmers by ordering food made of local ingredients, and local craftsmen and artists by showing appreciation and buying their work.
  • Experience Kamnik's diverse cuisine. Taste local, taste Kamnik. Choose typical dishes: Tuhinj stuffing, Tuhinj Trouts, Ursuline convent cream layer cake,  Princely Venison Goulash, Rušovc tips and pinecone liquor, chamois soup, Kamnik sousage with Kamnik whole-grain mustard ženof, The cheese Trnič from Velika planina
  • The best way to get to know Karst and Brkini culture is to hire a local guide who will know everything there is to know about the local environment and community.
  • Visit museums, galleries and other cultural sites to help preserve top artworks.
  • Attend heritage-focused events which will allow you to understand Slovenian customs and traditions. (Days of National Costumes and Clothing Heritage in Kamnik, food&music festival with open kitchen KUL Petek/ COOL Friday, Festival of Palm Sunday bundles at Budnar’s house, …)

 

Keep green Slovenia and the destination of Kamnik in your heart as a memory and a »taste of home«. It is something we internalise, as a memory of the closeness and warmth of our home and those we love. It is something that may have been lost and that we seek; somewhere where mankind has maintained genuine contact with nature. That's how it is in Kamnik …

  • The most beautiful gift you can take home with you is a handmade souvenir with a certificate. Find one you like in shops bearing the logo of Art & Craft Slovenia.
  • Share your experience with your friends and help us promote the green frame of mind.
  • Open your heart to green habits, and continue them even after you return from your holiday.

Thank you for walking the green path with us.

Welcome to the Kamnik!

 

Kamnik's green story

 

The Slovenian Tourist Organization and the Sustainable Tourism Factory have awarded the Slovenia Green Destination Gold label to the Municipality of Kamnik. In 2016, the municipality of Kamnik obtained the silver mark of a green destination, and in the process of renewing the mark in 2019, the evaluation commission concluded that Kamnik is one of the evaluated destinations that is "the most advanced" and therefore deserves a gold mark. Until then, six destinations, Ljubljana, Podčetrtek, Bled, Rogaška Slatina, Komen and Miren Kars, had the gold label Slovenia Green Destination.

 

The Slovenian Tourist Organization awards the Slovenia Green Destination mark on the basis of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. It is a system aimed at promoting the development of sustainable tourism in the environmental, social and economic fields. It is a quality certificate that marks the fulfillment of a wide range of requirements in the field of sustainable tourism. The scheme is both a tool for assessing and improving sustainable performance. The municipality of Kamnik has had a silver mark since 2016, and in the re-evaluation process that began at the end of 2018, it was promoted to a gold mark. When obtaining the mark, many areas are assessed, including handling of waste and sewage, handling of natural surfaces, awareness of residents and tourists, water quality, sense of security and more.

 

The Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (ZSST) is a system or certification scheme that under the umbrella of the SLOVENIA GREEN brand (1) combines all efforts for the sustainable development of tourism in Slovenia, (2) offers destinations and providers concrete tools to assess and improve sustainable operations , (3) through the SLOVENIA GREEN brand, it also promotes this green operation.

"I am extremely proud that the Municipality of Kamnik has progressed to the gold mark of Slovenia Green Destination in these four years," said the Mayor of the Municipality of Kamnik, Matej Slapar, and added: "This is an additional confirmation that everyone is working together both in the development of tourism and the entire municipality we are following the path of creating an integrated green destination. It is a permanent project and the responsibility of all stakeholders in the entire area. But this is also a commitment for the future, to achieve new sustainable products and experiences.

I see the advancement to the Slovenia Green Destination gold mark primarily as the excellent work of the green team that led the process, the team of the Institute for Tourism, Sport and Culture Kamnik, which participated in it, and all the other involved partners. This is additional recognition that we are on the right track in the development of tourism and that Kamnik is recognized as a green destination. At the same time, I would like to thank all the tourist providers who follow us on this journey, and all those who participated in the process of restoring the sign. With the development of green tourism, the Municipality of Kamnik will be even more recognized on the domestic and foreign markets. But we must realize that sustainable development is a path and not a goal. I myself believe that we can achieve even more in this area."

The eco-oriented Terme Snovik, which years ago was the first in Slovenia to receive the EU daisy environmental mark, and also the Slovenia Green Accommodation mark at the Slovenian Tourism Days, also make an outstanding contribution to green, sustainable Kamnik. In 2020, the internationally recognized Green Key environmental mark was also obtained by the provider of accommodation in cottages on the Velika planina, Pravljica na Velika planina, owned by Rok Virag.

The process of restoring the sign was led by a green team, directed and coordinated by Nina Irt, green coordinator at the Kamnik Institute of Tourism and Sport. In the process of restoring the sign, it was necessary to collect data from many public services, companies, public institutions, the tourist industry, as well as residents, visitors and tourists. In order to obtain the Slovenia Green Destination gold mark, destinations must meet the internationally comparable criteria of the Green Destinations Standard, and the purpose of such recognition is to promote the sustainable development of tourism in Slovenia within the framework of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, which was designed by the Slovenian Tourism Organization with the Institute of Sustainable Tourism Factory.

"The gold mark of Slovenia Green Destination shows that the municipality of Kamnik is oriented towards sustainable development, but we are aware that there are still quite a few challenges ahead of us, as we do not want to stop at this point, but rather raise the quality of life and awareness of sustainable development to a higher level," said the mayor of Kamnik Municipality, Matej Slapar.

"Kamnik is defined in the Strategy for the Sustainable Growth of Slovenian Tourism as a leading destination in central Slovenia, and by obtaining the gold mark, we have positioned ourselves even better on the Slovenian, European and global markets," says Nina Irt, green coordinator of the green team, and adds: "Our wish at the Kamnik Institute of Tourism and Sport is for everyone to internalize the mindset of being a destination in favor of sustainable development: the public sector, the economy, non-governmental organizations and, last but not least, citizens."

You can read more about the Green Scheme of Slovenian tourism on the website: here.

Green instructions for visiting the green destination Kamnik

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Slovenia is a country that tells a green story. Everywhere we look, everything is green, and this is also the case in the picturesque destination of Kamnik. Unspoiled green nature encourages us to act responsibly and protect it so that we will leave it unspoiled for our descendants. Under the auspices of the "Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism", we also implement green policies and create green experiences in Kamnik.