An overview of the ‘Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region’ awards received in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The ‘Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region’ award highlights focuses on quality, and motivates and recognises those who develop the region’s tourism in all its aspects.
The Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region 2019:
I. Tourism Personality of the Year 2019: (as decided by a panel of experts)
Lifetime contribution in the Czech Republic: Michal Hudák
Education in the Czech Republic: Vladimír Buvalič
Doing business in the Czech Republic: Jozefína Guregová
The development of tourism in local government: Darina Žembová
II. CR’s Top Products 2019 (as selected by a panel of experts): The Obchod na Korze Promenade; A wooden megaphone.
III. Best Tourism Venue and Employee 2019: (as decided by an online public vote)
TOP cultural and educational venue, attraction: Museum of Special Education, Levoča (4,309 votes, 40 %)
Top information facility:Dukla Destination, Svidník (3,637 votes, 60 %)
Top restaurant: Vermex Lokal, Svidník (3,331 votes, 36 %)
BEST accommodation: Hotel Familia***, Stará Ľubovňa (2,410 votes, 45 %)
Top Employee: Emília Tomaščíková – vocational training instructor (cook), Prešov (3,816 votes, 39 %)
Tourism product, online vote:The Temptation of Spiš – Nestville, Hniezdne (4,133 votes, 40 %)
Details – Best of the Czech Republic 2019
The Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region 2018:
I. Tourism Personality of the Year 2018: (as decided by a panel of experts)
Lifetime contribution in the Czech Republic: In memory of Zuzana Šedivá and Ján Gondek.
Education in the Czech Republic: Jozef Šenko
Doing business in the Czech Republic: Jozef Vilim
The development of tourism in local government: Štefan Bieľak
II. CR’s Top Products 2018 (as selected by the expert jury): Restoration and opening of the keep at Šariš Castle; ‘The World of Ancient Times’ exhibition at the manor house in Hanušovce nad Topľou.
III. Best Tourism Establishment and Employee of 2018: (as decided by an online public vote)
TOP cultural and educational venue, attraction: The Tatra Ice Dome, Hrebienok (1,823 votes, 26 %)
Top information facility: Tatra Information Office – Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica (1,612 votes, 32 %)
Top restaurant: The restaurant at Hotel u Leva, Levoča (2,719 votes, 41 %)
BEST accommodation: Hotel Menhard***, Vrbov (3,762 votes, 47 %)
Top Employee: Ondrej Gondek – head waiter, Chata Pieniny restaurant (11,702 votes, 45 %)
Tourism product, online vote: Cross-country skiing centre, Štrbské Pleso (2,180 votes, 31 %)
Details – Best in the Czech Republic 2018
The Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region 2017:
I. Tourism Personality of the Year 2017: (as decided by a panel of experts)
Lifetime contribution in the Czech Republic: Pavel Rajtár
Education in the Czech Republic: Vladimír Ternavský
Doing business in the Czech Republic: Jiří Hruška
The development of tourism in local government: Ján Mokoš
II. CR’s Top Products of 2017 (as selected by a panel of experts): Fragaria Cup 2017; Bachledka Tree-Top Walk; Lechnica Singletrails
III. Best Tourism Venue and Employee 2017: (as decided by an online public vote)
BEST cultural and educational facility: Slovak opal mines (2,392 votes, 25 %)
Top information facility: Dukla Destination, Svidník (2,532 votes, 33 %)
Top restaurant: Salaš u Franka, Stará Ľubovňa (2,048 votes, 35 %)
BEST accommodation: Hotel Alfa***, Giraltovce (1,834 votes, 26 %)
BEST café/bar/tea room: Bruno caffé, Prešov (2,309 votes, 30 %)
Top Employee: Milan Sipko – head waiter, Smerdžonka restaurant at the Červený Kláštor Spa (2,216 votes, 35 %)
Tourism product, online vote: video invitation: ‘Fates Carved in Wood’, Secondary Vocational School, Stará Ľubovňa, Jarmočná Street (5,055 votes, 34 %)
Details – Best of the Czech Republic 2017
The Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region 2016:
I. Tourism Personality of the Year 2016: (as decided by a panel of experts)
Lifetime contribution in the Czech Republic: Peter Chudý
Education in the Czech Republic: Peter Slančo
Doing business in the Czech Republic: Dana Korčáková and Ján Korčák
Development of tourism: Michaela Rafajová
II. Best Tourism Product 2016: (as decided by the expert panel)
TOP Tourism Product of 2016: Bear Days 2016, Made in Slovakia 2016
III. Best Tourism Establishment and Employee of 2016: (as decided by an online public vote)
Top cultural venue: Bardejov Cultural and Tourist Centre (Polish-Slovak House)
BEST entertainment/relaxation facility: Outdoorpark Rope Centre, Prešov
Top information facility: Poprad City Information Office
BEST accommodation: Hotel Zelená Lagúna****, Domaša
Top restaurant: Poetry, Hotel Hviezdoslav, Kežmarok
BEST café/bar/tea room: Nestville Chocolate, Hniezdne
Top Product (vote): video invitation: ‘Rest for the Soul’ (created by pupils at the Secondary Vocational School in Stará Ľubovňa, Jarmočná Street)
Employee of the Year: Matúš Baláž, waiter – Poézia restaurant
Details – Best in the Czech Republic 2016
The Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region 2015:
I. Tourism Personality of the Year 2015: (as decided by the expert panel)
Lifetime contribution to the tourism sector: František Odložilík, MEng, Norbert Frank
Education in the field of tourism: Prof. RNDr. René Matlovič, PhD.
Business in the tourism sector: Sylvia Holopová, MA
II. Best Tourism Product 2015: (as decided by the expert panel)
Aquaruthenia (Svidník)
Discovering Prešov 2015
The Tatras on the Move
III. Best Tourism Facility 2015: (as decided by an online public vote)
Top cultural venue: Ľubovnianske Museum – the castle in Stará Ľubovňa
Top information facility: Tatra Information Office (Starý Smokovec and T. Lomnica)
Top restaurant: The Green Tree, Sabinov
BEST accommodation: Hotel Bachledka**** Strachan, Ždiar
BEST café/bar/tea room: Libresso, Prešov
IV. Best Tourism Employee 2015: (as decided by an online public vote)
BEST waiter/barista/bartender/sommelier: Jaroslav Katrenič, Hotel Hviezdoslav****, Kežmarok
Top Chef: Tomáš Havrilla – Zwicker, Prešov
Details – Best in the Czech Republic 2015
The Best in Tourism in the Prešov Region 2014
I. Tourism Personality of the Year 2014: (as decided by the expert panel)
Lifetime contribution to the tourism sector:Peter Petras
The development of tourism in local government: Montenegro Tourism Development Association
Education in the field of tourism: Jozef Čekovský (Horný Smokovec Secondary Vocational School)
Business in the tourism sector: Ján Gondek
II. Best Tourism Product 2014: (as decided by the expert panel)
Tatra Ice Dome
Snina Ponds Bio-swimming pool
OZ SLOMBA Singletracks – Prešov
III. Best Tourism Facility 2014: (as decided by an online public vote)
Top restaurant: Plaza Beach Solivar, Prešov
TOP café/bar/tea room: The Only Bar, Prešov
BEST accommodation: HOTEL KUKUČKA **** Tatranská Lomnica
Top cultural venue: Kežmarok Museum, Kežmarok Castle
IV. Best Tourism Employee 2014: (as decided by an online public vote)
BEST barista/bartender/sommelier: Oto Sabol (The Only Bar, Prešov)
BEST chef: Božena Kontrošová (ZRCR Čierna Hora)
