State Secretary for Tourism Martin Krnáč received representatives of the management of the Slovak Association of Rural Tourism and Agrotourism (SZVTA). A working meeting was held at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic (
April 24, April 202524, 2025
Tourism | Media | Ministry | Press releases
State Secretary for Tourism Martin Krnáč received representatives of the management of the Slovak Association of Rural Tourism and Agrotourism (SZVTA). A working meeting was held at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic (MCRP SR), which was attended not only by Martin Krnáč, but also by the Director General of the Coordination and Transformation Section Ján Dováľ and Štefan Adam, an expert on rural tourism. SZVTA was represented by the chairwoman Ivana Juráčková and the honorary chairman of the association František Mach.
The main topic of the meeting was the preparation of the General Assembly of the European Federation of Rural Tourism – RURAL TOUR, which will take place in Slovakia for the first time. The event will welcome representatives from 28 countries of Europe and Central Asian regions on May 21 – 23, 2025 in the agritourism area of the ADAM guesthouse in Podkylava, in the region of Myjavské kopanice. The host will be the family business of Vojtech Tĺčik.
As part of the assembly, a joint meeting of Slovak entrepreneurs in the field of rural tourism with members of RURAL TOUR will also take place. The program will include a professional excursion to selected accommodation facilities, museums, as well as visits to iconic places in the Slovak countryside - e.g. Štefánik's Mound on Bradlo, the castle in Smolenice, or Modra. In Modra, participants will also experience the event "Open Cellars on St. Urban". It is organized by the Small Carpathian Wine Route, whose founding member was also the president of the RURAL TOUR, Erik Jordán from Belgium.
Participation in the opening ceremony was promised by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Rudolf Huliak. At the same time, the Ministry will provide SZVTA with a financial subsidy to ensure the event. During the meeting, SZVTA plans to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry, aimed at the development of the Slovak countryside through the support of rural tourism and agroTourism. The common goal is to create jobs and make better use of the natural, cultural and human potential of rural areas, which can slow down the exodus of young people to cities or abroad.
The importance of the development of the agriculture, forestry and water management sectors as a tool for strengthening Slovakia's food self-sufficiency was also discussed. In the future, SZVTA plans to address other ministries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic, Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic, Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic) with the aim of creating interdepartmental cooperation for the benefit of the countryside.
Another topic was the upcoming professional seminar during the Agrokomplex 2025 exhibition in Nitra (3 – 7 September). It will focus on the development of rural tourism at home and in neighbouring countries and the promotion of cross-border cooperation. At the seminar, the ministry will present the possibilities of financing from the CR Support Fund, which has 20 million euros available this year. Smaller projects of local governments and entrepreneurs in the field of VTA will also be supported.
Representatives of local action groups and regional tourism organizations will also participate in the exhibition, which creates space for closer cooperation between all actors in the countryside.
At the end of the meeting, the need for further education of entrepreneurs, the organization of excursions abroad and the support of digitization of services were also discussed. SZVTA believes that these initiatives will contribute to rural development, which deserves systematic and targeted support – especially after the pandemic, the energy crisis and at a time of deteriorated geopolitical situation. The ministry is aware that without enough qualified people, there is a risk of a decline in operations, which would further deepen regional differences.
Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic
media@mincrs.sk