Congress tourism in Slovakia is experiencing significant growth. According to the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, the sector grew by 52 percent between 2023 and 2024. Most events are one-day gatherings, with the majority of participants coming from abroad, according to Zuzana Eliášová from the national tourism promotion organization Slovakia Travel.
“Congress tourism is not just numbers, but also the reputation of the country. Each event helps build Slovakia’s image as a modern and open destination for business and innovation,” said the organization’s Director General, Matej Fekete.
Last year, Slovakia welcomed nearly 600,000 congress visitors, up from more than 390,000 in 2023. Most visitors went to the Bratislava region, where numbers rose by more than 50 percent. The Žilina region saw an increase of almost 80 percent, while the Trnava region grew by more than 120 percent. Over 5,000 congresses were held across the country last year, an increase of over eight percent. More than 60 percent were one-day events, and nearly 94 percent of participants attended events with 50 to 249 guests. Congress tourism significantly boosts the economy, generating income for hotels, restaurants, and other services, while also helping to fill capacity outside the peak tourist season.
Source: TASR
