"Finally, tourism companies have started reaping the fruits of tourism development. In 2014 all but three were in the red. Only last year all managed to climb into the black," the paper says under the headline Sale for the Future.

But the sector is still in peril. They need to invest but cannot due to old debts. The paper describes how hotel chains sold off some of their hotels.

While many got good owners, there are examples that show how important it is to get a buyer who understands the vision of the place and is willing to invest. "When times are tough, bad sales can happen quickly."

Therefore, Economic Development and Technology Minister Zdravko Počivalšek is against fire sales in the hotel sector and wants gradual and prudent privatisation.

By creating the state-owned tourism group, the hotels that will ultimately go up for sale would attract higher bids from buyers with understanding of tourism development, both in Slovenia and abroad. "Portorož could do with a well-known hotel chain."

"The fact that about 40% of tourism companies in Slovenia are state-owned does make the country look like Cuba. However, overcoming this should not be the only objective."

"The state must make sure that the companies and their employees will have a future. In the long-term, this will be the best pay-off."