Podčetrtek - Terme Olimia, a state-owned spa operator from Podčetrtek in eastern Slovenia, generated EUR 19.7 million in revenue last year, up 18% from 2020, the first Covid year, and tripled its net profit to EUR 3.9 million.

The spa that is almost 100% owned by the Slovenian Sovereign Holding recorded almost 292,000 nights in 2021, a 9.2% rise.

The number of visitors who came to the spa to swim meanwhile increased to around 409,500 from 363,000 in 2020.

Director Florjan Vasle is happy with the business results.

As he said in the company's annual report, the pandemic forced them to focus on the domestic market, where, thanks to tourist vouchers, demand was very high.

The problem was not where to get the guests, but where to get the workers to provide the right level of service to all of them, he said.

Investments totalled EUR 1.6 million last year, with 125 parking lots and four charging stations for electric vehicles built and the main patisserie renovated and upgraded. The biggest investment was the complete renovation and expansion of the boiler house, which ensured sufficient thermal energy for optimal operations.

The company has ambitious plans for this year too, with Vasle saying it expects to be awarded Green Key, a leading standard of excellence for environmental responsibility and sustainability in the tourism industry.