PRESS

RELEASE PASSION FOR SLOVAKIA: TOURISM WILL BRING EMPLOYMENT TO DISADVATAGED REGIONS (ilina, Slovakia, March 1, 2012)

Civic Association Passion for Slovakia (VPS) carried out a survey of candidate election programs of political parties, since January 31, 2012 appealed to all candidating political parties in parliamentary elections (to be on March 10, 2012) issues relating to tourism development in Slovakia. All parties were given the same questions: 1. What is your political party approach to tourism in Slovakia? 2. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for tourism development in Slovakia and to promote them if you have to reach the elections? 3. Name the program outlines the program of your political party linked to tourism in Slovakia. "The tourism industry has long referred to as a sector with significant potential, and therefore we wondered how this issue is incorporated in the current electoral programs and ideological platforms," said Director of VPS Mgr. Peter Pulis. Parties have been repeatedly contacted by e-mail and telephone. Data collection was completed on February 23, 2012. By this deadline, 10 political parties responded: KDH, S- HZDS, Most-Hd, N kraj (Our region), Obyajn udia a nezvisl osobnosti (Common People - Independent Personalities), SaS, SDL, SMER-SD (Social Democtrats), SMK a Strana ivnostnkov Slovenska (Tradesmen Party of Slovakia). From all the current parliamentary parties did not responded SDK and the SNS. "The resulting outputs fundamentally surprise us. We got the replies in the form of general phrases, as well as proposals for concrete actions and measures. We can say that all the answers considered tourism as perspective cross-sector of the economy, which may positively influence employment, especially in disadvantaged regions. The individual responses stressed out good examples from neighboring countries, the importance of destination management, promotion of Slovakia and its brand-building, development of road infrastructure and agro-tourism. The survey also showed us the flexibility to respond to the important questions of public life, and communicate with citizens. In the future will be interesting to watch how politicians will further develop their activities in this sector, "said Pulis. Rural development and agrotourism perhaps for the first time appears from the perspective of majority of our respondents as an important opportunity for tourism development in Slovakia. In terms of the solutions to political parties agreed in their responses to the

promotion of small and medium enterprises. This should be accomplished through the modification of the conditions of providing state incentives for investments and job creation and straightening conditions for foreign and domestic investors with regard to the specific needs of SMEs. Among cross-sectional solutions also appered a road and transport infrastructure - not only the improvement of highways, as well as regional roads, bridges and cycleways. Most political parties accented the need to promote domestic tourism through state - funded 'recreation / holidaybills." Current strongest opposition party SMER-SD sees the development of tourism in a vital and strong state role, working closely with all stakeholders on finding the best solutions. Parties holding the government coalition (SDKU-DS, KDH, MOST-HID, SaS) perceive shift in the development of tourism at the regional level - to new established county and regional organizations of tourism, and also the formation of future funding through state grants by the new Act on the promotion of tourism. The role of the state perceive the current coalition parties in creating more favorable conditions and promotion a national brand of Slovakia abroad. From the "new" political parties who responded to the survey (Ordinary People - Independent Personalities, Our Region) sounded interesting suggestions to indicate the need to focus on promoting tourism to conservation, restoration and development of cultural and natural heritage, but also simplifying the registration of regional tourism organizations for those who are unable to reach 50,000 overnight stays per year (which is by current Act on Promotion of Tourism the minimum limit for receiving state grants). Civic Association Passion for Slovakia (VPS) was founded in October 2011. Its focus is to support tourism development in Slovakia. VPS has the ambition to collect and disseminate information on tourism in Slovakia, networking experts, professionals and enthusiasts, and promote the implementation of quality standards. Mgr. Peter Puli | Managing Director| Passion for Slovakia Tel.:+ 421 910 46 55 27 E-mail: pulis@vasenpreslovensko.sk