AmCham Slovakia

Successful Tourism in Slovakia – Challenge, but an Achievable Goal

Letter to members by František Palko, State Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic

Unlike many other countries, Slovakia has not typically focused on tourism as a main economic stream, despite the fact that domestic tourism represents a primary source of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for a country and taxes are also a primary source of income for the state budget. 1989 was supposed to change this. That year the doors were opened for the Slovak population and gave them the possibility to travel, gain the experience and see the world. However, the message being spread abroad has not been supported enough to truly make a change in Slovak tourism.

Unlike many other countries, Slovakia has not typically focused on tourism as a main economic stream, despite the fact that domestic tourism represents a primary source of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for a country and taxes are also a primary source of income for the state budget. 1989 was supposed to change this. That year the doors were opened for the Slovak population and gave them the possibility to travel, gain the experience and see the world. However, the message being spread abroad has not been supported enough to truly make a change in Slovak tourism.