Alpe-Adria

Revealing the finalists for the Jakob Award 2025

The Alpe-Adria Fair proudly presents the Jakob Award each year, international recognition for innovation, quality, and excellence in tourism. The theme for this year’s selection focused on the innovative use of digitisation in natural and cultural heritage in tourism, emphasizing both tangible and intangible heritage.

A panel of esteemed experts in heritage and digitalization—Prof. Dr. Janez Bogataj (Chair of the Committee), Dr. Bojana Rogelj Škafar, Doc. Dr. Tanja Lešnik Štuhec, and Aleš Pevc—reviewed the applications and selected the top three projects as finalists. These projects impressed the committee with their vision and technological ingenuity.

Jakob Award 2025 finalists

Virtual Mining Museum (Cultural center Delavski dom, Trbovlje)
A digital gateway to mining history! This project takes visitors deep into the underground world, using modern technologies to bring the stories of miners and their heritage to life in an interactive way.

Kurent’s House (Municipality of Ptuj)
The legend of the Kurent through a digital lens. This project combines tradition and innovation, offering visitors a unique experience that celebrates one of Slovenia’s most significant intangible heritage elements.

Secrets of Submerged Villages (Šaleška Valley Tourism Institute, Velenje)
Beneath the waters of the Šaleška Lakes lie lost villages. Through digitalization, these stories have been revived, providing visitors with a glimpse of a past nearly forgotten.

Who Will Be This Year’s Jakob?

The winner will be announced at the opening ceremony of the Alpe-Adria Fair, taking place from January 29 to February 1, 2025. Join us at the Alpe-Adria Fair, where, in addition to the Jakob Award winner, you’ll find a diverse range of tourism offerings, workshops, and events to inspire your next adventures!