Holiday World and the Central European Travel Trade
Week
- A Resounding Success
The key players of the Central European travel and tourism market celebrated
the 11th successful edition of HOLIDAY WORLD, at the Prague Exhibition
Grounds-Vystaviste on the 10th February. The four day travel exhibition
rounded off a whole week of events centred on the travel and tourism
industry in this dynamic region. The energy and enthusiasm of all those
involved contributed to a most positive and productive Central European
Travel Trade Week.
Launch of the Central European Chapter of Meeting Planners International
(MPI) - 5th of February
The Central European Travel Trade Week began at the Don Giovanni Hotel
with the launch of the Central European Chapter of MPI. Markus Muller,
Sales and Marketing Director of the Dorint Don Giovanni is keen to encourage
the MICE industry to Central Europe and MPI, with 19,000 members in
64 countries, will be play a pivotal role in the industry's development.
Central European Travel Conference - "MICE - How to Bring in
Business"
The MPI launch complemented the 2nd annual Central European Travel Conference
which took place on the 6th February at the Prague Inter-Continental
Hotel. The conference this year focused on the MICE (Meetings, Incentives,
Conferences and Events) sector of the industry and drew speakers and
delegates from far and near. The event was opened by Cestmir Sajda,
Deputy Minister for Regional Development of the Czech Republic, and
speakers included Mike Moore of AOL, Didier Scaillet of MPI and Robert
Rosenberg of the Newport, Rhode Island CVB among others. The organisers,
ITE Travel Exhibitions and cecta (Central European Countries Travel
Association), were greatly encouraged by the positive response from
both the speakers and the delegates. The overall conclusion echoed by
all the speakers was that post September 11th the marketing of travel
will never be the same again, but there are many opportunities for growth.
Central Europe cannot solely rely on its being a safe and inexpensive
destination and further innovation and research into developing niches
are the keys to future development of the industry of the region.
HOLIDAY WORLD 2002 - Central Europe's Premier Travel Industry Event
Holiday World 2002 is a specialist travel trade exhibition focusing
on the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Poland. 868 companies
from 68 countries were represented including newcomers like Chile, Ireland,
Luxembourg, Morocco, Serbia and Sicily. Visitor figures were also strong
with over 12,700 registered trade visitors and nearly 40,000 consumer
visitors. The overall feeling from participants was very positive as
the industry picks up after the tragic events of the end of 2001.
Czech Travel Awards - Recognising Excellence
The Czech Travel Awards have become a regular feature of the Central
European Travel Trade Week in Prague. They were presented during HOLIDAY
WORLD to the winners including: FIRO - Best Travel Agency in the Czech
Republic, HERTZ - Best Car Rental Company, CSA - Best Airline and ÖSTERREICH
WERBUNG - Best National Tourist Board. The awards are organised by TTG
Czech Republic and for the second year they have been sponsored by Hertz
car rental company.
HOLIDAY WORLD is a member of ETTFA (European Tourism Trade Fairs Association),
WTO (World Tourism Organization), cecta (Central European Countries Travel
Association) and PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association). It is organised
by ITE Travel Exhibitions, a division of ITE Group Plc, leading exhibition
organisers in new markets.
HOLIDAY WORLD 2003 will take place from 13-16 February 2003
at the Prague Exhibition Grounds