Prlekija Tourism Cooperative
The Prlekija Tourism Cooperative Ltd. was established with a purpose to connect and promote product-development initiatives and build the stakeholder networks in the region. The cooperative was established as a social enterprise and is based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. The co-operative members value honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
The purpose of The Prlekija Tourism Cooperative is to increase domestic food self-sufficiency by developing a local food system as well as the development of rural hospitality and agritourism industry in the area. The co-operative's guidelines and values put into practice are as follows:
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providing opportunities for increasing locally sourced food products and relying more on the local food system
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shortening food supply chains and distances between food producers and consumers
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facilitating local and regional food network development and creating a clear marketing image of the enterprise
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boost of local tourism industry, protection of cultural heritage, creation of more sustainable local economies, organic food production, boost of social entrepreneurship development, and local procurement as a way to reduce negative environmental impacts
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actions of social enterprise stakeholders to influence sustainability transition, sustainable food consumption and healthy, sustainable dietary patterns
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promotion of principles of fair trade tourism and food production
The Prlekija Tourism Cooperative is owned and controlled by local providers of tourist accommodation and other services, as well as by providers of local food and other products. Attempting to emulate the first Slovenian self-service store practice of former Yugoslavia, opened in Ljutomer in 1958, the cooperative also runs a self-service store with locally grown and processed food products. Welcome to visit!
