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The figures for the first nine months of the year are upbeat as well, as visitor numbers rose almost 2% and overnight stays inched 0.3% higher compared to last year, Statistics Office official Irena Černič told the press.

The figures indicate that the solid performance of the tourism industry despite the economic crisis is driven by an influx of foreign visitors, which already account for over two-thirds of visitors and almost two-thirds of overnight stays.

Whereas the number of foreign visitors jumped 4% in the first nine months of the year and they generated 3% more overnight stays, the number of domestic tourists dropped 2.5% and their overnight stays were down 4.2%.