EU funds for the renovation of touristic routes and the reception centre of the Škocjan Caves Park
Ljubljana, 15 March 2013 – The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, acting as the Managing Authority for the EU structural funds and the Cohesion Fund, issued a decision awarding EU funds for the project “Renovation of touristic routes and the controlled entrance into the cave Tiha jama and Šumeča jama and the 1st phase of the renovation of the reception centre of the Škocjan Caves Park in Matavun”. The overall value of the investment amounts to a little under 2 million Euros, of which the European Regional Development Fund contribution amounts to 1.4 million Euros.
The investment entails the renovation of the infrastructure in the cave Tiha jama and Šumeča jama in the Škocjan Caves, establishment of checkpoints for the entrance and exit of tourists, upgrade of the existing facility with the surveillance centre for monitoring and video surveillance of tourists in the caves. The tourist infrastructure will, thus, be in accordance with the standards of similar tourist caves throughout the world.
The project will contribute to the increased visit of both caves. The renovation of the touristic routes, electrification and video surveillance will increase the quality of tourist services and visitors’ satisfaction. The automation of tickets sales will enable the introduction of new marketing approaches, creation of a single ticket and cooperation with other service providers in tourism and indirectly also longer stays of tourists in the area of the Slovenian karst. The investments will be carried-out in accordance with the nature protection standards.
The investment represents a direct contribution to the realisation of the objectives of the Operational Programme for Strengthening Regional Development Potentials for the period 2007-2013, main type of activity “Integration of natural and cultural potentials”. The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology is responsible for the implementation of the project.
