Three Top Green Experiences That Caught the Sharks’ Attention

First, a quick explanation of what a “shark tank” is. If you have seen the TV show of the same name, you will already know the concept. In our version of the “shark tank”, the sharks are representatives of travel agencies who know the realities of Slovenian tourism well and understand the needs of both visitors and tour operators. The “fish” swimming in the same tank — in our case, a meeting room — are members of the Slovenia Green Association, representing destinations and tourism businesses. They have 15 minutes to convince the jury that their experience is the one worth choosing. After each presentation, the jury — which also includes a representative of the Slovenian Tourist Board — has five minutes for additional questions before scoring the experience.

The format creates an engaging and highly direct connection between tour operators and experience providers — in other words, between demand and supply. Alongside the opportunity to present their products, our members receive valuable feedback from the jury that can help them refine and improve their offer. Sometimes, even a small adjustment can make an experience more appealing, accessible or easier to include in a travel programme.

This time, we are presenting the three experiences that received the highest scores for feasibility, innovation and sustainability.

1. Creative Ljubljana, Ljubljana

When visiting a destination — whether a beach resort or a city — we can simply admire it, or we can experience it in a more active way. As its name suggests, Creative Ljubljana is designed for visitors who prefer the latter. The programme offers six creative workshops that allow participants to connect with local artists and makers in a relaxed and personal setting. Visitors can design their own T-shirt using discarded textiles, create a unique bracelet, shoelaces or jewellery, or discover how comics are made. The experiences last between 1.5 and 3 hours and are suitable for groups of 1 to 6 people. What we especially like about Creative Ljubljana is that it connects visitors with local artists, supports the local creative community, uses sustainable and locally sourced materials, and creates authentic interaction between creators and guests.

A hands-on creative workshop connects visitors with local artists and makers through authentic experiences. (Photo: Primož Lukežič, Source: Ljubljana Tourism)

2. Connected with Nature, Solčava

How do you best experience a destination such as the Solčava, where nature and the people who live with it are its greatest treasures? By building the day around exactly those two elements: the natural environment and the local people who have lived alongside it for centuries. The Connected with Nature experience begins at the Rinka Centre, where participants discover the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage through exhibitions, multimedia presentations and stories told in the local dialect. The programme continues with a hands-on activity, such as creating a unique souvenir from the wool of the indigenous Jezersko-Solčava sheep or preparing traditional gruševi žlinkrofi dumplings. Participants then walk to the 900-year-old Solčava yew tree and visit the Ramšak Eco Farm to taste homemade local delicacies. The experience ends around a table filled with freshly prepared gruševi žlinkrofi.

Local wool, traditional crafts and stories of the Solčava bring visitors closer to the people, heritage and nature of the destination. (Photo: Tomo Jeseničnik)

3. Heads or Tails, Kranj

In Kranj, the city of Slovenia’s greatest poet France Prešeren, a walk through the historic centre has been transformed into an engaging and educational experience. Accompanied by a local guide, participants explore both well-known landmarks and lesser-known corners of the city, from the old town centre to the Kokra River Canyon. The route is not entirely fixed, as a simple coin toss plays an important role in deciding what happens next. The experience also includes a group photograph on glass, writing with a quill pen, a surprise dessert and tasting local drinks — sometimes in a rather unexpected setting, other times on one of the city’s most popular terraces. What else do we like about it? Heads or Tails preserves local cultural heritage in a playful and authentic way, involves local people and resources, and encourages visitors to respect nature, tradition and responsible travel practices. The three-hour experience is suitable for groups of 2 to 10 curious visitors.

A coin toss guides the route through Kranj, playfully connecting visitors with Prešeren’s heritage and the city’s lesser-known corners. (Photo: Jošt Gantar)