At the Days of Slovenian Tourism held in Portorož national awards were presented for innovation and creativity in tourism. The title of Sejalec 2014 went to Open kitchen, a marketplace of freshly prepared food specialities.
This year's Sejalec competition attracted 26 entries submitted through the Bank of Tourism Potentials in Slovenia portal, being the highest number in the award's eleven year history. Among the innovations, introduced in Slovenian tourism in the past two years, the nine-member expert committee selected three finalists by way of a multi-stage evaluation process. These were Among the sea bass and mussels by kayak, canoes and stand-up paddle boards submitted by Fonda.si, d. o. o., Dinner in a cable car submitted by Jezeršek gostinstvo, d. o. o., and Open Kitchen submitted by Olam, d. o. o. The latter being awarded the title of Sejalec 2014.
As reported by the expert committee headed by dr. Dejan Križaj, the project Open kitchen transformed Pogačar Square in the heart of Ljubljana into a popular venue for Friday gatherings for locals and tourists that mingle among the numerous food stalls offering quality food from the gastronomic regions of Slovenia and international culinary specialities, all under the watchful eye of the organiser. The Open kitchen as a tourist product has, in the opinion of the committee, in just over a year exceeded all expectations and put Ljubljana and Slovenia on the world tourist map, for which it deserves the title of Sejalec 2014.
The special importance of the enhancement of the Slovenian tourist market with innovative products was recognized by the committee in two other submissions, which were each awarded the title of finalist.
The first finalist was the family company Fonda.si, which, thanks to their ingenuity, transformed the only fish farm in Slovenia into an international tourist attraction. With a unique, green, nature friendly and educational tour of "sea farms", made possible with a photovoltaic hybrid vessel, kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board, the company is successfully realising elements of sustainable development in tourism.
The second Sejalec 2014 finalist was a consortium of seven local partners with Jezeršek gostinstvo at the helm. In a short period of time they created a unique culinary experience in an unusual location, setting up mini restaurants in the Krvavec cable cars. As well as the tourist product itself, the marketing model is also innovative, with Dinner in a cable car being sold successfully among various target groups as a gift for special occasions. The consortium shows that with cooperation and fresh ideas, it is possible from small, diverse products to generate new, connected, appealing and unusual experiences.
Have a look at all winners of the award Sejalec since 2004 HERE.