The fifth international tourism fair - Place2go - opened on Friday in Zagreb with a record number of 160 exhibitors from 19 countries that will present their destinations to Croatian travel enthusiasts until Sunday, March 20.
"We are pleased that despite all the hiccups we have managed to 'push' this project to this fifth edition and for the first time the Croatian public will see presentations by Morocco, Israel and Japan and their tourism offers. There are many more 'old' exhibitors including Indonesia, India, Thailand, Belgium, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as exhibitors from Croatia," the fair's director Damjana Domanovac said at the opening of the fair.
A novelty this year is Business Friday where tourist agencies will have an opportunity to directly conclude cooperation, Domanovac said.
"A great deal would not have been possible without the support of numerous partners such as Turkish Airlines who have sponsored the fair for three years now as well as the City of Zagreb, the Tourism Board, Zagreb markets, the national railway, and the Tourism Ministry," added Domanovac.
Assistant Tourism Minister Snjezana Brzica believes that following last year's record, this year could achieve a good result based on announcements from all the usual markets.
Many of the exhibitors include airlines, some of which have established new direct flights connecting Croatia with Canada, Israel, Russia, Portugal and Czech Republic.
The first day of the fair will be open exclusively to business people facilitating opportunities for meetings with exhibitors regarding future cooperation.
The fair will also include a special culinary segment - Taste the Mediterranean. Other features include information on how to exchange accommodation around the globe, what you need to study in Australia or were the best wedding destinations are.
The fair has a humanitarian aspect and is continuing its cooperation with the Kolajna Ljubavi (Medal of Love) association which is active in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Africa.
(Hina)