The economic crisis last year considerably influenced tourism in Slovakia, including its most popular destination, the High Tatras, the SITA newswire reported. According to the head
of the Tourism Association, Peter Chudý, data of the Statistics Office confirm this as the number of visitors to Slovakia fell by over twenty percent in 2009 from the previous year. The decline in the High Tatras was seventeen percent. The number of Polish tourists in the Tatras shrank the most.
Chudý also said that in addition to the economic crisis, the introduction of the euro as the currency in Slovakia negatively affected the number of tourists last year. He added that Polish tourist were particularly sensitive to the new currency.
Last year, the occupancy rate of accommodation facilities in the High Tatras reached 32 percent. In 2008, which was considered one of the best years ever, the rate was at 37 percent.
The High Tatras region currently offers accommodation in 296 facilities, with over 14,000 beds.
In spite of the crisis year of 2009, tourism reported also some positive changes last year. The average length of a stay in the High Tatras extended from 3.3 days in 2008 to 3.5 days last year. Average daily prices for accommodation also went down moderately – by approximately one euro to €19.90 in 2009.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
