Tourism is a very fast growing industry. Developed economies are aware of its importance and devise multifaceted and complex strategies that are based on sophisticated analyses, scientific research and expertise. Fast growing competition among tourist destinations and tour operators dictates the use of all theoretical and practical resources. All this applies also to Slovenia, which is an attractive, well developed and promising tourist destination.

Research work has a long tradition in Slovene tourism although it has been carried out in an organised way only since the establishment of the International Tourism Institute. When Slovenia gained independence and began shaping its tourist profile and competitive economic model following the principles of sustainable development, the need for research and development work and consultancy increased considerably. In this short but successful period the International Tourism Institute has gained an international reputation as a professional and reliable research team with a realistic view of the present and a clear vision of the future.

Institute's results and references confirm its position in Slovenia and abroad. The Institute carries out selected fundamental tasks for Directorate for Tourism, such as Tourism Satellite Accounts, prepares development and marketing strategies for Slovenian tourist destinations, it takes part in numerous projects financed by EU, and also transmits its knowledge and experience abroad – e.g. by creating development strategies and tourism statistics in Montenegro.

Young researchers are developed at the Institute under the mentorship of experienced theoretical and practical experts. Currently, the Institute has a permanently employed staff of two, three permanent outsource colleagues, and a wide network of other colleagues in Slovenia. The Institute also cooperates with over 50 foreign organisations from 20 countries.

MIT also invests in contemporary ICT equipment, in the education and training of colleagues both at home and abroad and the development of international partnership networks. In Slovenia, the Institute is consolidating a partnership network with tourist enterprises and institutions who are active participants in projects for the acquisition of data, with results submitted to the Institute for review, definition of problems, and recommendations.

A permanent quest for knowledge for Slovene tourism and for our own personal and professional growth is a basis to cope future challenges. We invite you to join us on this interesting and challenging tourist journey to the future.

Janez Sirše, M. Sc.
Director of the International Tourism Institute and
Senior Lecturer at the Ljubljana Faculty of Economics