Green jobs in tourism: The potential of the Savinja region

Abstract

Green jobs are considered to be the jobs of the future due to their substantial contribution to preserving or restoring the quality of the environment. These jobs imply protection of ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity since they facilitate reduction of waste and pollution. Among the existing natural resources of the Savinja Region, there are huge potentials for the new green jobs around the sites such as thermal springs and forests as natural habitats since the fertile soil provides opportunities for organic farming as well as the use of solar, water and wind energy for generating power from renewable natural resources. The principles of sustainable tourism development in the Republic of Slovenia dictating the principles of 'green, active and healthy' are 100% compatible with the exploitation of natural resources for tourism purposes. Sustainable tourism in the Savinja Region will yield the best possible results only if synergies are achieved in the interaction, in establishing and exploiting leverage to create green jobs, organic farming as well as the offer of the local cultural heritage. The Savinja Region has recognized this opportunity, but it is necessary to put in a lot of work in the first phase at raising awareness of individuals, households and businesses, whereas in the second, the efforts should be made towards the implementation and standardization of green jobs in practice.

Keywords

• green jobs
• sustainable development
• tourism
• the Savinja region
• natural resources