About Green Scheme

Green Scheme of Slovenian tourism

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.

Žalec was among the first to join the pilot scheme of the project and thus obtained the Slovenia Green Destination Bronze label in 2016 and entered the Slovenian family of green destinations. The label, which is valid for 3 years, was won again in 2019. In May 2022, the Žalec destination received the Slovenia Green Destination Silver label.

Feel Green Before You Come to Slovenia and Žalec

  1. To visit one of the greenest destinations on the planet is to travel responsibly. Slovenia is the first country to be comprehensively evaluated by the standards of Green Destinations, a non-profit promoting sustainable tourism. It has launched Slovenia Green, a national programme which includes a number of green destinations, lodgings, parks and tourism agencies. These have all been rated based on their sustainability efforts and have received their national Slovenia Green Certificates. There are green adventures waiting for you at every step in this country spanning the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst region and the Pannonian Lowlands. Try to find out as much as you can about your destinations and their local traditions. Get to know Slovenia even before you arrive.
  2. Feel Slovenia Green Destinations even before your arrival. Be inspired by the locals’ love of nature and cultural heritage.
  3. Arrive by train or bus, or choose an airline dedicated to lowering its carbon footprint.
  4. Choose accommodation with the international and national Slovenia Green Certificate. An increasing number of lodgings have the national certificate as well as one of the top global sustainability certificates, such as Green Globe, Travelife and European Eco Label, to name a few.
    Accommodation providers strive for sustainability; they take responsible action in the management of waste and wastewater, and in energy consumption. Most providers are closely connected with their local communities, and hire locals who will be happy to share stories and interesting details about the destination with you.
  5. There are certified tourism agencies specialising in green hiking and the outdoor experience. If you want to travel in a green and sustainable way, tourism agencies with the national Slovenia Green Certificate will be happy to help you plan your hiking routes and outdoor adventures.

Discover Green Žalec - green hops and beer capital of Slovenia

Žalec municipality is located in the heart of Lower Savinja Valley. It is political, cultural and economic centre of Lower Savinja Valley regionand also the centre of hop growing and beer production in Slovenia.
The municipality of Žalec covers 117.10 km2 and 88 % of it are nature areas which are offering a lot of possibilities for fauna and flora observing. 23,40 % of the area are protected nature areas.
There is more and more emphasis on carbon-free forms of mobility, in which Žalec has joined the Nextbike - Kolesce system. This bike rental systemenables citizens to rent ordinary or electric bicycles at seven locations in the city and its surroundings.
Due to its location, Žalec has always been an important rest stop, which is reflected inthe diversity of cultural and historical attractions found in the municipality – there areas much as 27 important historical buildings and four museums presenting history and tradition of Žalec and surrounding villages.
Landscape covered with hop fields, unique Beer fountain and Eco-museum of hop growing and brewing industry are all revealing many hop farms, facilities and hop growing customs.