FIJET gives out the award to honour outstanding achievements in the modern tourism trends.

Ljubljana was honoured for its preservation of cultural, natural and historical heritage and their inclusion in the tourist offering, and for introducing the principles of sustainable development into tourism.

"A new recognition of the international expert community once again confirms that we are heading in the right direction and that the capital offers quality," Ljubljana's tourist organisation Turizem Ljubljana wrote.

FIJET president Tijani Haddad handed out the award to Janković at Friday's ceremony at the National Gallery.

On the occasion, Turizem Ljubljana took Haddad and members of the jury on a tour of Ljubljana and central Slovenia, while representatives of FIJET planted an apple tree yesterday in honour of Ljubljana receiving the award.

Since it was established in 1970, the Golden Apple Award has been presented to 47 organisations, countries, cities, companies and individuals.

Slovenia was honoured twice before. The Kobarid-based Walks of Peace Foundation dedicated to preserving the heritage of the WWI Isonzo front won it in 2012 and in 2014 it went to the Postojnska jama cave to compliment on the cave operator's efforts to preserve the site for future generations.

Ljubljana had been proposed for the award by FIJET Slovenija.