{"id":15986,"date":"2024-11-06T17:39:21","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T09:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.ebenta.store\/?p=15986"},"modified":"2024-11-07T11:04:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T03:04:39","slug":"meet-the-experts-vladimira-gasparova-ceo-director-of-tatry-travelia-slovakia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/meet-the-experts-vladimira-gasparova-ceo-director-of-tatry-travelia-slovakia\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the experts: Vladim\u00edra Ga\u0161parov\u00e1 – CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, Slovakia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Text by Ramy James Salameh<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vladim\u00edra Ga\u0161parov\u00e1 is the CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia<\/a>, a well-established tour operator in the Tatras Mountain Region of Slovakia. The ethos of the company is to provide wonderful holidays for travellers looking for adventures in nature, but above all those seeking to reduce their impact on the environment, travel responsibly and make incredible memories with loved ones. Vladimira and her team are aware of the growing trend and seeing more demand for more trips integrating \u2018Health\/ Wellness\/ Sustainability\u2019 (especially post-pandemic), as we all see the benefit of \u2018natural surroundings\u2019 and activities on body and soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meet
Meet the experts- Vladimi\u0301ra Gas\u030cparova\u0301 \u2013 CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, Slovakia Img1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1-Does your company support local communities through the SUSTAINABLE products\/ activities you offer tourists e.g. Hiking and Cycling and how do the local communities benefit?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We of course prefer communities with sustainable products and\/or activities. For example we recommend our clients to engage with restaurants that cook from organic products or from products sourced from local farms. For example, our company also owns a \u2018bike rental company\u2019 which means that we prefer to go around our region by bike not by using a car. We also recommend our clients to use transfers by trams not by cars and try to motivate our clients to come to the High Tatras during the shoulder months when it is less busy and less strain on infrastructure when it is not season period (not just in season), to prefer \/ find not just the most frequent hikes\/walks of their trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-How does your company promote sustainable practices? What initiatives do you and\/ or your company do to be eco-sensitive and sustainable?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our company is right now attending The ECO-TANDEM Training Programme to improve our skills and build capacity around the standards for sustainability in the tourism industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-How does the region preserve the landscape for the next generation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The territory of the High Tatras is our oldest National park which results in the company appreciating and protecting its rarity of communities and the uniqueness of this area. There are also restrictions within the current legislation of Slovakia to follow and adhere to. One such example is that during this spring time, organisations in the High-Tatras focus their actions on waste management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meet
Meet the experts- Vladimi\u0301ra Gas\u030cparova\u0301 \u2013 CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, Slovakia Img2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4-In your opinion, what are the top sports\/ adventure activities in the \u2018High-Tatras & Liptov\u2019 region?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In winter it is skiing, ski-hiking, cross-country skiing or visitors can even try snowshoeing in our beautiful nature. And of course snow bikes. We can get recommendations for easy routes or we can lend the electric snow bikes if the group decides to go for a more difficult route. We bring the snow bikes directly to our clients\u2019 hotel or straight to the starting point and always provide a map of a route (ONLINE to mobile) or can provide a guiding service in English for our customer. It is a very nice activity, with suitability also for families with children; they can make an easy route and admire a beautiful snowy country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love a combination of all sports and everyday select a different kind of activity. Very nice experience is evening ski hiking of Fresh track \u2013 early morning skiing which includes a hearty breakfast under the peaks. Other options are to join adventurous rides on the snow cat vehicles that keep the pistes pristine. And why not even try dog sledding.

In spring, summer and autumn I love \u2018bike&hike\u2019 in the High-Tatras or hiking with leaders in our other National park \u2013 \u2018Slovensky Raj\u2019 (Slovak Paradise). It is also a very nice experience is visit Pieninsk\u00fd National Park to try rafting on traditional wooden boats with original Goral music typical for this part of Slovakia.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meet
Meet the experts- Vladimi\u0301ra Gas\u030cparova\u0301 \u2013 CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, Slovakia Img3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5-If you are a walker or hiker what would you recommend as interesting trails?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My most favourite hiking trail is to Kriv\u00e1\u0148 peak (2495 m). It is a slightly more difficult hike but you are rewarded with the most unforgettable views of the surroundings. I have still my first memories behind my eyes when I think about such hiking places. I also love Jah\u0148ac\u00ed peak (2230 m) it is also a beautiful hiking opportunity without too many hikers along the way and you will be able to see many chamois in a near distance to you. When I am in the High-Tatras I always feel I am in another world that is only surrounded by the scent of nature and singing of birds.

If you like easier tours, I love and would choose a Cottage near \u2018Green Lake\u2019 (Chata pri Zelenom plese, 1550 m) and \u2018Skalnat\u00e9 Lake\u2019 \u2013 you can get here also by cable car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meet
Meet the experts- Vladimi\u0301ra Gas\u030cparova\u0301 \u2013 CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, Slovakia Img4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6-I understand that you can go bear watching, are there other animal tours in the region and does Tatry-Travelia offer any?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our sincere desire is to be able to inspire our visitors to respect nature, and visits to the Tatras region should not be perceived as purely commercial. We will be happy to provide our visitors with chamois watching, bird watching, our experts could tell you about the movement of animals, or show visitors endemic species to the High-Tatras including the Tatra Chamois.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7-Your company offers winter cycling and summer cycling \u2013 can you offer trails for amateur to professional cyclists and what route itineraries are best? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the High-Tatras region we have cycling routes of varying difficulties. The simpler ones is Tich\u00e1 and K\u00f4prov\u00e1 valley and possibly Monkov\u00e1 valley.
Among the slightly more demanding routes, I would include Popradsk\u00e9 Lake, Sliezsky dom, eventually reaching the route to the Treetop path. These routes are already with a higher elevation, but still mostly on paved roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most challenging routes include Zelen\u00e9 pleso (Green Lake) and the Plesnivec chalet, which are for experienced riders and fully technically diverse cuts. By combining individual routes, we can adjust difficulty and length according to the requirements and abilities of visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My most popular route leads through the Tatransk\u00e1 Kotlina, Monkov\u00e1 valley to Bachledov\u00e1 valley in which we reach the Treetop path, from there we follow along the ridge of the Spi\u0161sk\u00e1 Magura, which divides the Tatras and Pieniny national park, and then ends the trail within the foothills of the High Tatras. This route belongs within the \u2018difficult\u2019 category but is full of beautiful views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meet
Meet the experts- Vladimi\u0301ra Gas\u030cparova\u0301 \u2013 CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, Slovakia Img5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8-Are there any stand out festivals worth attending in the \u2018High-Tatras and Liptov\u2019 region?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our travel agency Tatry-Travelia is a partner of the city of High-Tatras and we make many events for visitors during the whole year, representing our region but also the culture of others for e.g. in 2019 we made an event of cult Czech and Slovak film Perinbaba https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/325040958253724\/videos\/832223343892913\/<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer there are many Music bands of different genres invited to the High Tatras, in winter visitors can visit Ice Tatra Temple on Hrebienok (each year the ice-carvers create a new theme such as recreating Notre-Dame cathedral <\/strong>for the beautiful and spectacular temple). During whole year you can visit one of our historical really beautiful hotels and relax with live music (classical music or Slovak traditional folk or gypsy music) and a glass of wine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9-You and I visited the \u2018Chodnik Korungmi Stromov\u2019 (Treetop viewing point) \u2013 what other family friendly activities can you recommend?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A beautiful trip is to go by cable car to the magnificent \u2018Skalnat\u00e9 Lake\u2019; families can admire this watery wonderland by walking around the lake, they can also take their children to visit the amusing squirrel park. Also, just a 5-minutes hike away to \u2018Skalnat\u00e1 Cottage\u2019 and everyone can enjoy real Tatras coffee named \u2018\u0160tbsk\u00e9 presso\u2019. From Skalnat\u00e9 Lake you can go by cable car to the 2nd highest peak \u2013 \u2018Lomnick\u00fd\u2019 peak (2655 m). Another option is a trip by cable car to \u2018Hrebienok\u2019 where you will find many options for easy hiking. Sight-seeing can take other forms, such as visiting the \u2018Exhibition of miniatures\u2019 or the most beautiful Tatras cottages or visit \u2018TANAP Museum\u2019 in Tatransk\u00e1 Lomnica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add to the list\u2026\u2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-A very nice activity for families is boating on \u0160trbsk\u00e9 Lake,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Visit art of illusion \u2013 Triklandia https:\/\/www.tricklandia.sk\/en\/home-en\/#galeria<\/a>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Pedal planet http:\/\/www.pedalplanet.sk\/eng\/<\/a> or<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Gallery of a Good toy https:\/\/www.dobrahracka.sk\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biking options: There are opportunities to ride, or example from Tatransk\u00e1 Lomnica to contact ZOO in Gerlachov, or biking to Belianska Cave or biking in K\u00f4prov\u00e1 or Tich\u00e1 valley with a picnic break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In winter sledding from Hrebienok or dog sledding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meet
Meet the experts- Vladimi\u0301ra Gas\u030cparova\u0301 \u2013 CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, Slovakia Img6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

10-Any personal top tips\/ advice to travelling in the High Tatras & Liptov region \u2013 anything you really love e.g. best viewpoints?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my family and I, one very memorable and powerful experience was to spend a night at Lomnick\u00fd peak \u2013 the 2nd highest peak of the High Tatras (2665 m). We had a beautiful dinner and could observe the sky and stars from the summit. It was a truly unbelievable experience.

I really love to spend time in our Nature, I love to visit all events, I like to spend time with our visitors and I really love to go for a coffee and cake in Grandhotel Praha****, hotel Patria****, Hotel Lomnica**** or hot chocolate in Nestville (the first Slovak Whisky distillery). I really recommend to all visitors to try our typical Slovak cuisine \u2013 Halu\u0161ky (gnocchi with sheep cheese and bacon on the top) or Pirohy (flour meal with stuffing with potatoes and sheep cheese) \u2013 it is delicious! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Text by Ramy James Salameh Vladim\u00edra Ga\u0161parov\u00e1 is the CEO & Director of Tatry Travelia, a well-established tour operator in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15986"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15986"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15994,"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15986\/revisions\/15994"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalecotourismnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}