Rediscovering autumn

More and more people are rediscovering the delights of autumn and the colours, locations and natural wonders that make it an ideal season for slow tourism

Foliage tourism is all about taking your time and connecting with nature. Every autumn, forests, hills and valleys look like paintings that have come to life. Shades of red, orange, yellow and ochre light up the landscape, encouraging travellers to look at things in a whole new way. In recent years, more and more people have been taking trips in order to rediscover the delights of the season. Part of the reason behind this lies in viral pictures of magical autumn woods shared on social media, which inspire people to choose new destinations and itineraries. The idea of taking a trip to see autumnal landscapes has actually been around for some time. “Leaf peeping” is a well-established tradition in some countries. For decades, millions of people have been travelling to see and take pictures of the changing colours in forests. There are even “foliage forecasts” that they can check to see when the colours will be at their brightest.

Slovenia shows how to strike the right balance

With more than 60% forest coverage, Slovenia is one of the most spellbinding destinations for fans of foliage. However, it has much more to offer visitors than just stunning sights. The foliage experience in Slovenia embodies a responsible tourism philosophy based on caring for the landscape, genuine hospitality and promoting local communities.

When it comes to the SMARTIES for SMEs project, Slovenia serves as an example of regenerative tourism with the capacity to combine economic growth, environmental sustainability and social wellbeing. The country has developed innovative management models such as the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism: a national certification system bringing together destinations, tourism businesses and accommodation facilities in pursuit of sustainability.

The approach is a way for Slovenia to promote eco-friendly tourism and harness local resources, from villages deep in the woods and Alpine valleys, to cycling routes and food and wine experiences with locally sourced products. In areas such as Bohinj and the Vipava Valley, tourism has become a driving force behind territorial regeneration. It helps to support local economies and forge connections between communities and visitors.

The vision behind the scheme is perfectly in keeping with the objectives of the SMARTIES for SMEs project, which promotes regenerative, sustainable and participatory tourism all over Europe, championing good practices that could inspire new forms of local development.

Autumn: a new season for conscious tourism

In recent years, autumn has become an increasingly prominent part of European tourism. The ETC’s “European Tourism Trends & Prospects” Q4 2024 report reveals that foreign arrivals in Europe during the shoulder season (September-October) were up by 6.3% on 2019 levels.

Choosing to travel in autumn has the added benefit of contributing to more balanced and sustainable tourism that reduces pressure on the busiest destinations during the summer and unlocking the potential of lesser-known spots. Autumn is the ideal season for a revitalising, inspiring break. The foliage at this time of year is a stunning, constantly changing sight that encourages people to slow down, admire the scenery and feel a real connection with nature and the areas that they visit.