Slovenia’s Ambassador Invites UAE and GCC Travellers to Discover Slovenia

Sabina Stadler, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Arab Emirates, says there are promising opportunities to deepen Slovenia UAE tourism and economic ties, from wellness resorts and luxury hotels to logistics, biotechnology and artificial intelligence. Speaking to Gulf Tourism News, she invited UAE nationals, residents and visitors from across the GCC to discover the country.

Why Slovenia suits Gulf travellers

The Ambassador described Slovenia as a year-round destination combining mountains, beaches, forests, vineyards and wellness resorts. Visitors can ski and hike, explore its cities or enjoy the coast, while summer temperatures of around 30°C make it comfortable for travellers from the Gulf.

• Forests cover about two-thirds of the country
• More than a third of its territory is environmentally protected
• International visitor numbers have grown for over a decade, typically 2 to 5% a year and up to 10% in some years
• Slovenia aims to grow tourism while avoiding mass tourism

Wellness and medical tourism

Slovenia is home to natural springs rich in mineral waters with therapeutic properties. Its health resorts offer programmes covering wellness, beauty, rehabilitation and revitalisation, which the Ambassador sees as a basis for specialised packages aimed at UAE and Gulf visitors.

Investment opportunities for UAE businesses

Slovenia wants to strengthen its investment presence in the UAE and move towards a bilateral investment agreement. The Ambassador highlighted logistics as a key sector, with the Port of Koper on the Adriatic acting as a gateway for cargo to Central Europe, including southern Germany.

She also pointed to opportunities in hospitality, where Slovenia needs more luxury hotels and welcomes investment in new resorts and in repositioning existing properties under international brands, provided environmental standards are respected. Pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and support for Slovenian SMEs are further areas for UAE investment.

AI, research and space

Slovenia has a long record in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with Ljubljana and its university among the field’s research centres around 70 years ago. Today it is developing AI applications in healthcare, medicine and robotics, and its universities and institutes, including the University of Ljubljana and the Jožef Stefan Institute, are open to collaboration with UAE researchers and students. The country has also launched two satellites and is home to companies in space, security and advanced technology.

A commitment to sustainability

The Ambassador said sustainability is central to Slovenia’s development, citing its recycling and biodiversity efforts and its role in establishing World Bee Day on 20 May. She also highlighted the country’s healthcare system, particularly in neonatal and paediatric care.

Media contact

Maine Locading, PR Account Executive, Iris Media
maine@irisuae.com | +971 2 628 1732