The destination Brežice received a prestigious recognition at the Green Destinations 2025 conference in Montpellier, as its good practice was ranked among the Top 100 most sustainable stories in global tourism.
Green Destinations selects one hundred stories each year that most convincingly showcase sustainable practices and innovative approaches to tourism development. In Montpellier, destinations from more than 40 countries presented themselves to an international audience, and the destination Brežice, under the auspices of the Brežice Institute for Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Youth, proved with the story “Brežice Selection: From Local Producers to United Destination Identity” that it belongs among the very best. The award is a recognition not only of the institute’s professional work but also of the many local providers who, by joining the collective brand Brežice Selection, co-create the identity of the destination.
The project was designed as a response to the fragmentation of the local offer. Although the destination Brežice boasts a rich winegrowing, culinary, and handicraft tradition, visitors often lacked a clear overview of its authentic products. The collective brand Brežice Selection provided the solution by connecting farmers, winemakers, restaurateurs, artisans, and other creators into a joint platform with strict criteria of quality, authenticity, and sustainability. Today, the brand brings together 30 providers who jointly offer more than 130 products and experiences.
By being ranked among the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories, the destination Brežice has received another international confirmation that its sustainable orientation is delivering real results. Alongside the Slovenia Green Platinum label, awarded only to the most advanced green destinations in the country, and the recognition of the Brežice Promenade as a one-star zero waste event, the destination demonstrates that sustainability is not only a vision, but is also recognized by the global professional audience as an example of good practice.
Katja Čanžar, Director of the Brežice Institute for Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Youth, emphasized upon receiving the award:
“Our application was based on the idea that sustainability is built with people and for people. It is not just a strategy, but a way of life that we have internalized in the destination Brežice. With this award, we have received international recognition, but also an additional responsibility to continue this work.”