EBRD supports sustainable tourism in Slovenia

• €15 million EBRD loan to support Terme Čatež capital investment programme
• Project focused on energy efficiency, water management and year‑round tourism
• Investment advances sustainable tourism in Slovenia

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the modernisation and green transition of Slovenia’s tourism sector with a €15 million loan to the owner of Terme Čatež, the country’s largest natural thermal destination and a well-established, family-friendly, affordable leisure complex.

The EBRD financing will support a capital expenditure programme aimed at upgrading operational infrastructure at the Terme Čatež complex, improving energy efficiency and environmental performance, and enhancing the destination’s year round appeal.

The investment programme will include the refurbishment of hotel facilities, upgrades to water treatment and wastewater management infrastructure, and targeted energy efficiency improvements. These investments are designed to improve service quality, increase operational resilience and boost long term competitiveness.

Through this investment, the EBRD is promoting sustainable, accessible and regionally oriented tourism, supporting Slovenia’s transition towards lower carbon tourism models by strengthening domestic and regional travel and reducing reliance on long haul tourism.

A key environmental component of the project will be improvements to on site water management systems, including groundwater pumping and wastewater treatment facilities, contributing to the more efficient use of natural resources and greater climate resilience.

The project also places a strong emphasis on human capital development. With EBRD support, Terme Čatež will implement targeted training and skills development programmes for its workforce, in cooperation with local educational and training institutions.

These initiatives aim to raise service standards, promote equal opportunity and support long term capacity building in the tourism sector.

Vlaho Kojakovic, Director of Real Estate at the EBRD, said: “We are delighted to partner with Slovenia’s largest and most recognised thermal destination. This project marks the EBRD’s first tourism investment in Slovenia – and, notably, its first inland tourism project in the Adriatic region. It reflects the Bank’s confidence in Slovenia’s strong potential to further diversify and upgrade its tourism offering.”

Since the start of its operations in Slovenia, the EBRD has invested more than €1.6 billion in 116 projects in various sectors across the country, working with both the public and private sectors to promote a more resilient, green and inclusive economy.