Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Slovakia , a landlocked country in Central Europe, is renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage. Dominated by mountains, notably the Carpathians, including the Tatras, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with plentiful hiking, skiing, and stunning vistas. The capital, Bratislava, juxtaposes medieval architecture with modern vibrancy, welcoming tourists from over 80 countries with easy visa free policy.
Traditional Slovak cuisine, with dishes like bryndzové halušky, complements its cultural offerings. Slovakia also boasts well-preserved wooden churches and folk traditions, making it a unique blend of old-world charm and contemporary European life. Projected revenue for Slovakia’s Travel & Tourism market is set to reach US$1,531.
00 million by 2024. With an annual growth rate of 2.97% (CAGR 2024-2028), the market volume is expected to climb to US$1,721.
00 million by 2028. Online sales are anticipated to account for 61% of this total revenue by 2028. In 2023, Slovakia saw a significant increase in tourism, with 5.
7 million visitors to tourism establishments. This represents an 18.5% rise over the previous year.
The return of foreign visitors marked a notable trend in 2023, with 2.1 million foreigners staying in the country, nearly a third higher than the previous year. In January 2024 alone, 374,000 guests visited tourism accommodations, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year.
List of Visa Free Countries Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom. North America: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Asia: Brunei, Georgia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Timor-Leste, United Arab Emirates. Australia & Oceania: Australia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles.
Miscellaneous: Moldova, Monaco. Bratislava Castle : This 10th-century castle sits on a plateau and features a nearly rectangular shape with four long towers. Slovak Paradise National Park : This park offers a variety of attractions, including beautiful lakes, waterfalls, picturesque canyons, and a dense forest rich in flora and fauna.
Orava Castle : Perched on a craggy hilltop amidst a verdant forest, Orava Castle boasts impressive views of rolling hills and the Orava River below. Banská Štiavnica : A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, this historic town is nestled in a caldera formed by an ancient volcano, surrounded by beautiful nature, making it a fairytale come true. High Tatras : Home to the country’s tallest mountains, the High Tatras offer unforgettable hiking and rock climbing experiences, as well as great slopes for skiing in the winter.
Rafting in Dunajec River Gorge : Experience an exhilarating rafting journey through the stunning Dunajec River Gorge. Navigate the rapids and marvel at the towering limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, perfect for adventure enthusiasts. Family Fun at Aquapark Tatralandia : Enjoy a family outing to Aquapark Tatralandia, filled with water attractions and pools.
Thrill on the slides, wave pools, and relaxing hot tubs for a day of aquatic adventures suitable for all ages. Bearwatching Hiking Day Tour : Embark on a 6-hour bear-spotting expedition in the High Tatra Mountains from Poprad. Watch for the local bear population, estimated at 180, along with other native wildlife such as deer, foxes, and eagles.
Full-Day Snowshoeing : Join a snowshoeing adventure in Slovakia’s High Tatras on this full-day small-group excursion from Poprad. Explore the untouched parts of northern Slovakia’s mountains with a guide. Slovak Railways (ZSSK), in partnership with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), operates a seasonal route from Bratislava to Split that extends through Vienna, Austria.
The service, running from summer into autumn, will conclude on October 5th. Trains to Split depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with return trips to Bratislava scheduled for every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. This route accommodates not only passengers but also facilitates the transportation of vehicles such as cars and motorcycles starting from Vienna.
The service expects to attract over 20,000 Slovak visitors traveling to Split during the season. Slovak Airlines operated as an airline company, providing flights to and from various cities in Slovakia. The airline offered scheduled services from Bratislava to Brussels, Belgium, with seven weekly flights in a codeshare arrangement with Austrian using Fokker 100 aircraft.
Additionally, it conducted four weekly flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo, also using Fokker 100 aircraft, in a codeshare with Aeroflot. Meanwhile, AirExplore, a leading Slovak airline and a member of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider, is enhancing its cargo capabilities with the addition of new Boeing 737-800 freighters. As Slovakia’s premier airline for both passenger and cargo transport, AirExplore focuses on expanding its operational reach.
The newly acquired Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) freighters feature enhanced fuel efficiency, which benefits both passenger and cargo services by reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing noise pollution. These freighter aircraft will be strategically positioned across airports in Europe and the Middle East to bolster the capabilities of leading global logistics companies. Bratislava M R Štefánik Airport , serving as the international gateway to the Slovakian capital, recorded a significant increase in passenger traffic.
In June, the airport processed 246,000 travelers, marking a 14 percent increase from the previous year. The first half of 2024 saw the airport handle a total of 733,097 travelers, up 10 percent year-on-year. During 2023, the airport managed 1,257,640 passengers through scheduled services and an additional 556,020 passengers via non-scheduled and other transport modes.
Destinations showcase Slovakia’s rich history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage, making it an attractive destination for travelers.Most foreign visitors to Slovakia come from the Czech Republic (approximately 26%), Poland (15%), and Germany (11%).Most foreign visitors to Slovakia come from the Czech Republic (approximately 26%), Poland (15%), and Germany (11%.
