Slovakia is intensifying efforts to attract more visitors from the GCC, highlighting spa and medical tourism, mineral and healing springs, nature and sports as key opportunities, according to Loretta Pinke, Head of the Slovak Tourism Representation – GCC Region, speaking to Gulf Tourism News during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai.
Pinke said Slovakia’s
participation at ATM is helping the country better understand the preferences
of Emirati and GCC travelers while promoting its diverse tourism offering.
“This is not our first
time at ATM Dubai and we are very happy to be here again. It's a very great
exhibition, which brings us closer to the Emirati people and to know what they
are looking for when they travel,” Pinke told Gulf Tourism News.
Four Slovak companies
are participating in the exhibition, showcasing a range of tourism products.
The country’s mineral
and healing waters remain a major attraction, supporting a long-established spa
and medical tourism sector.
“Slovakia has a true
gem in the form of water. We have very big water resources and it comes with
water, mineral and healing springs. And we have a lot of spas,” she said.
Slovak spas provide
medically supervised treatments, and Pinke noted that visitors from the
Emirates already travel to Slovakia for wellness and medical services, with
some returning annually.
Pinke also highlighted
Slovakia’s safety, peaceful environment and natural landscapes as potential
attractions for GCC travelers.
“Slovakia is a very
safe country, very peaceful and with a beautiful nature,” she said.
Beyond wellness,
Slovakia is promoting sports tourism, including equestrian activities and polo,
while specialist facilities cater to athletes preparing for major competitions.
Although GCC visitor
numbers fluctuate due to global and geopolitical conditions, Pinke said tourism
is showing encouraging signs of recovery toward pre-COVID levels.
Slovakia aims to
strengthen GCC ties and develop new tourism partnerships through platforms such
as ATM Dubai. -TradeArabia News Service
