Boštjan Noč

Slovenians are a nation of beekeepers, which can be felt at every step. We know our Carniolan bee well, its role in nature, and we appreciate the bee products of Slovenian beekeepers.

Slovenian beekeeping is special in many respects. We have our Carniolan bee, whose country of origin is Slove- nia, we have our unique AŽ hive, we have bee houses, decorative beehive panels, we bake gingerbread cookies, make honey bread products, things you cannot nd anywhere else. Most importantly, Slovenian beekeepers are beekeepers with heart and soul and for us beekeeping is simply something MORE.

Slovenian beekeepers are renowned across the world for our hospitality and openness. Beekeepers are hap- py to show our beekeeping farms, serve bee products, and talk about

beekeeping in general. This is why we have recently started developing apitourism, as we wish to present our activity to both fellow Slovenian and international beekeepers and the na- tional and international public.

The laws that apply in honeybee colo- nies could serve as an example for us all. Respect, dedication and respon- sibility towards own and communal tasks are the basis for their survival. They are also the foundation for the survival of nature. The sooner people also realise this, the greater the possi- bility to save our world.

Dear visitors, your visit to apitourism farms will lead you to a world of un- forgettable experience!

Boštjan Noč, President of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association

Blaž Ambrožič

The importance of Beekeeping Tourism

The importance of beekeeping  tourism can be addressed  in several points. The most important  point , of course, is that the services it offers include thoroughly informing and familiarising visitors with how important bees are to nature and, incidentally,  to the survival of our species.

A great number of foreigners, especially from the Unitet States, ask the following question: “Are the bees in your contry dying as well? “,which shows that they are gradually becoming aware of the importance of bees.Beekeeping tourism is the easiest and most practical way to inform people. Visitors can get close to the bees and to bee colony, learning all their secrets and abilities. In addition, they learn to recognise real bee products, what they are used for, and how they should be used.

“If our countries were organised in the same way as a bee colony, we would  know neither recession nor poverty”

Blaž Ambrožič, president of the Section for Beekeeping Tourism, Slovenian Beekeeper´s Association, Slovenia

Anton Tomec

Off to my old apiary…

People who love bees, honey and everything connected to them have their own unofficial anthem. Lojze Slak’s song

Stari čebelar (Old beekeeper), which plays in my heart every time I talk to one of our beekeepers. They dedicate all their love to Carniolan honey bees and preserve the tradition while keeping up with modern times. There are already a few dozen of them who were not intimidated by the challenge and bravely decided to certify their apitourism offers and services. Whether it is lying on beehives, making beeswax products, baking honey cookies or chatting over mead … Our beekeepers will gladly share their knowledge. Pay them a visit, you will not regret it!

Anton Tomec – Vice president of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association

Tanja Arih Korošec

Slovenia – a land of centuries-old beekeeping practices

Apitourism is a new form of tourism, an innovative approach to sustainability and a highly promising economic activity. We are developing products that inspire, educate and enrich lives under the ApiRoutes trademark. Api travels are an attractive and sensuous way to present Slovenia as a healthy destination, a country of hospitable people and, above all else, a homeland of excellent beekeepers with rich apiculture and centuries-old beekeeping practices developed by our beekeepers with their gentle beekeeping. The product philosophy is built around respecting natural laws; the functioning and the purpose of bees can be compared to the functioning and the purpose of people and their putting values such as belonging, organization, diligence, respect and harmony into practice. If we consider all this together with the trend of travelling to green, eco and healthy destinations oriented towards well-being and satisfaction, we can rightly talk about a comprehensive sustainable product. “We are creating a new dimension of travels that contribute to a higher quality of life, educate people and develop a high degree of respect and responsibility towards the natural, cultural and social environment.”

Tanja Arih Korošec, the Director of the Aritours travel agency, ApiRoutes