Bratušek told the biggest annual event in the sector, which is focusing on the national tourism strategy, that tourism was one the biggest economic and social phenomena of our time and a key factor of national and regional development in Slovenia.

"Slovenian tourism accounts for 12% of GDP, 8% of the entire exports and 40% of service exports," she said, also pointing to the EUR 1.3bn tourism trade surplus in 2012, which is a tripling compared to 12 years ago.

Tourism provides permanent employment for 45,000 people, while another 12,000 help occasionally or regularly. When taking into account multiplication effects, it shows that 81,000 have permanent jobs because of tourism.

Elaborating on the June-adopted 2012-2016 tourism strategy, she said that the plan was to increase revenues from foreign tourists from EUR 2bn to EUR 3bn by 2016. With EUR 1,000 in revenue per capita from foreign tourists Slovenia is already ahead of developed tourism countries such as Italy and France.

The conference was also attended by Economic Development Minister Stanko Stepišnik, who underlined the extremely positive effects of tourism as well.

"We are trying to create an appropriate business environment and reduce administrative obstacles...But of course also the owners and managements of companies need to do their share of work," he said at the event hosted by the Terme Olimia spa.

There were numerous awards given at the evening reception to those who have proven in different categories.