Turistica Co-Creates the Future Development of Tourism in the Soča Valley

All three municipalities of the destination Tolmin, Kobarid, and Bovec were involved in the process. Workshops were carried out separately in each municipality, following a participatory approach. Together with the Soča Valley Tourism Board and local stakeholders, we identified key development challenges and explored concrete solutions for more sustainable and resilient tourism.

Alongside the professional fieldwork, we visited several central tourist attractions in the destination. Among them were the natural attraction Tolmin Gorges and the Church of Holy Spirit in Javorca, a holder of the European Heritage Label. We also toured the new Tolmin Gorges Visitor Centre, which represents a modern example of visitor management and the valorization of natural heritage.

Insight into the development of the private sector was provided by Hotel Dvorec, where, following the workshop, we explored the renovated facilities and the new wellness offer overlooking Tolmin and the surrounding mountains. The study visit concluded at the Tolmin Museum, an important guardian of the cultural heritage of the Upper Soča Valley, spanning from prehistory to the Tolmin Peasant Revolt and the heritage of the First World War.

Together with the Soča Valley Tourism Board and stakeholders from all three municipalities, we identified the fundamental challenges facing the selected tourist destination, which are intertwined with various aspects of development and life in the Upper Soča Valley. These range from infrastructural limitations and unified pricing policies to increasing international recognition, education and training of personnel, strengthening the digital presence and content of local providers, and ultimately reducing seasonal impacts while building a more resilient, year-round tourism model for today and the future.