The Olympic Games and the Slovenian House are an excellent opportunity to strengthen international links and to present Slovenia with the national brand I feel Slovenia in the international community and in France, the Slovenian Tourist Board said, and organised two events in France for the target French public.

Marta Kos, on behalf of the Slovenian Olympic Committee, welcomed the guests and summarized the events that had taken place at the Slovenian House over the past few days. The Olympic Games are more than just a sporting event, they also tell the story of the Olympic values of excellence, respect, friendship and cooperation, she stressed. She called on all present to strive to uphold these values in all areas of their work. And she thanked Ana Roš and her team for the culinary treat they will be giving to the French guests.

The story of Ana Roš and her cuisine is particularly important in relations between France and Slovenia, which is a fast-growing area for Slovenia, especially in the field of tourism, added Metka Ipavic, Slovenian Ambassador to France. The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Slovenia has also made our country a culinary discovery for France, she added.

"Everything in Slovenia is in our nature," said Ana Savšek, Head of Digital and Content Marketing at the Slovenian Tourist Board. In her presentation, she pointed out that Slovenia is one of the greenest countries and has the greenest stars per capita. The presentation gave the guests an insight into Slovenia, its values and identity, including its culinary identity.

Ana Roš prepared a menu with selected dishes that tell the story of the valley where Franko House comes from. "The menu we have designed is an exploration of the flavors and raw materials from the stunning and unspoilt nature of the Soča Valley," said Ana Roš. Hiša Franko takes a sustainable approach, and the chef explained the background and the local Slovenian story behind each course. She explained to the guests the many special features that stem from the cuisine, nature, the local environment and Slovenian heritage. She stressed that the sustainable approach is also because all the ingredients come from the surrounding area. Although the ingredients for lunch were brought from Slovenia, she also added some ingredients picked in Paris. She impressed the French media with her menu.

France is one of the primary markets for Slovenian tourism, which last year ranked 9th in terms of the number of overnight stays among foreign markets. The Slovenian Tourist Board's increased activities on the Olympic Games in Paris are complemented by continuous promotional and communication activities in this market. Last year, Slovenia recorded a 29% increase in the number of overnight stays by French guests compared to 2019, the most successful year so far, and the trend continues with a 28% increase in the first half of this year. Slovenian tourism impresses the French in particular with its offer of activities in the great outdoors, excellent gastronomy and rich cultural experiences.