Jakob Prize

Prize for Quality and Excellence of Tourism in the Alps-Adriatic Region

Is the name of the prestigious prize for excellence of tourism in the Alps-Adriatic region a surprise, does it raise doubts or questions? In my opinion, such concerns are unnecessary. Jakob is the allegory for the »first« tourist, tourist traveller: such a tourist that Europe desires in its efforts to develop this important industry and social movement – that has its starts in the second half of 18th century but has a much longer history – in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. It is precisely this dimension of the tourist cultural heritage, characteristically symbolized by Jakob, that we would like to mark with the most visible, innovative, creative and other movements in the tourism of the Alps-Adriatic region.

Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre has invited tourist actors from the Alps-Adriatic region to compete for the Jakob prize, the prize for quality and excellence of tourism. In accordance with the laid down criteria, the international expert jury every year selects the best among the applicants, the one that contributes significantly to the mosaic of innovative tourist efforts in the Alps–Adriatic region. Every year, the prize is awarded in a different field. This is why various actors can enter the competition for the Jakob prize, the prestigious prize awarded for quality and excellence of tourism. Subject of Jakob 2012 Competition is:

Subject of the 2012 Competition:

Innovative tourist programmes in the field of alternative forms of leisure and relaxation.

Recipients of the 2012 Jakob Prize:

- Project of Ecological Village of Forest Fairies at Camping Bled, Sava Turizem d.d. – Camping Bled and
- Project from Austrian Styria entitled Nature Park in Motion, Nature Park Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen.
 
The project of the Ecological Village of Forest Fairies at Camping Bled represents an innovation in the range of services currently offered by campsites. Its special feature is the fact that the houses originate from the local tourist heritage (culture, forestry) and that the tourist offer (food, sanitary facilities, etc.) is based on the local culture. The special value of the project is that the tourist offer was created in a relatively simple manner, without excessive investment. Nonetheless, the results are enviable.
 
Similarly, the project from Austrian Styria, the Nature Park in Motion, is an example of distinctive innovation connected with the central aspiration of the global tourist development, i.e. natural and sustainable development. The project is of extraordinary high quality, including its infrastructure, and is based on studying the nature through the culture of reading. The jury believes that this could be a good example not only for Austria but also for the comprehensive European tourist endeavours. The jury also concluded that despite the fact this year’s number of applied projects was relatively high, the applicants did not fully understand the purpose and goals of the competition and particularly its subject – the emphasis of which, as always, is on innovation.