Ljubljana - The Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) has entered a partnership with Janja Garnbret, currently the world's best female climber, multiple world champion and Olympic gold medallist. Garnbret has thus joined a number of Slovenian top athletes who have become ambassadors of Slovenian tourism, the STO announced on Wednesday.

The young climber will thus help promote Slovenia around the world as a destination for healthy and active experiences, and a country of top athletes.

"The more I explored the world through climbing, the more I realised what Slovenia has to offer, not only in terms of nature. The country we call home often seems like a hidden treasure to me," Garnbret said as she entered the partnership with the STO.

"I like the way tourism is developing in Slovenia, especially with the focus on sustainability. This is one of the reasons why I am proud to support Slovenia's ambition to be recognised as a destination for world-class experiences," she added.

Ilona Stermecki, acting director of the STO, said that the organisation had long been cooperating with many top Slovenian athletes, and was very proud to add Janja Garnbret to the list of ambassadors, which also includes cyclists Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar, and basketball ace Luka Dončić.

"Garnbret's extraordinary climbing skills have also helped raise the profile of Slovenia as an ideal country for active holidays and unforgettable experiences in pristine nature," she said.

"We believe that Janja will continue to impress with her successes for many years to come and help ensure that Slovenia is also recognised as an excellent environment for athletes' preparation and important international sporting events," added Stermecki.

Because of these opportunities, which are included in Slovenia's plan to promote healthy and active tourism and its sporting achievements, the STO also decided to make sports tourism a central promotional theme for 2022 and 2023.