PS: MP Dubovicky Wants NKU to Audit Slovak Travel Agency

Bratislava, 4 July (TASR) - Opposition MP Richard Dubovicky (Progressive Slovakia/PS) has filed a complaint with the Supreme Audit Authority (NKU), calling for an investigation into the financial management of the state-funded organization Slovakia Travel, TASR learnt on Friday. Dubovicky cited serious concerns regarding the effectiveness, purposefulness, and cost-efficiency of how public funds are being used by the agency, which plays a key role in promoting inbound tourism to Slovakia. According to the lawmaker, the most pressing issue is the complete lack of a publicly available strategy or vision, which hampers systematic planning and oversight of expenditures. „Without a clear concept, it is very difficult to speak of efficient financial management,” he stated. He also raised alarm over the sharp decline in foreign tourists visiting Slovakia in 2024, despite the organization spending millions to support inbound tourism. At the same time, Slovakia Travel reportedly invested heavily in campaigns aimed at domestic tourism — an area that, Dubovicky emphasized, falls outside its primary mandate. „The contract registry shows repeated deals with the same consultants and marketing service providers, with questionable benefits. Furthermore, there is no clear evaluation of the return on investment from Slovakia’s participation in the Expo exhibition in Japan,” Dubovicky added. As a result, he is urging the NKU to carry out a comprehensive audit of Slovakia Travel’s budget planning, marketing expenditures, contractual relationships, and overall alignment of its activities with its core mission — promoting Slovakia abroad. He stressed that the review should focus strictly on efficiency and cost-effectiveness, not on the legality of public procurement, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Public Procurement Office. mf