Current situation in management of tourism in Slovakia

Abstract

For the European Union, as well as for other countries in the world, tourism represents an important economic activity based on a wide range of products, attractions and destinations. Cross-sectorial character of tourism industry significantly determines the system of management which must be coordinated at various horizontal and vertical levels. From the vertical perspective, the organizational structure of tourism in Slovakia can be divided into three levels – national, regional and local. Concerning horizontal structure, the system is divided into public sector (state administration and self government) and private sector (third sector and the business sector). Key institutions in tourism development are the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic, Slovak Tourist Board, self-governing regions and municipalities, regional and local tourism associations and professional associations and societies. Slovakia finds itself in a rather complicated situation in the international tourism market. The country is now facing some major economic and legal changes in the tourism sector which should accelerate the development of tourism.