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last
updated 13 February 2003 |
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| Breaking News | |||||||||||||||||||
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Opening Up Travel in Central Europe | ||||||||||||||||||
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WTM - Excel | ||||||||||||||||||
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Baubock Report | ||||||||||||||||||
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Germany Travel Show | ||||||||||||||||||
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The Future is bright! | ||||||||||||||||||
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Go is #1 carrier | ||||||||||||||||||
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Budapest Pocket Guide - Online Travel service Launched | ||||||||||||||||||
| The
Online Travel webpage, to be working under the Budapest Pocket Guide
website (www.budpocketguide.com/travel)
is aiming to enhance the Budapest Pocket Guide Website with an online
travel and accommodation booking service, helping foreigners to visit
Hungary with different offers to choose from before their departure
and making their stay in Hungary the most comfortable and organized
in advance. The site will be public and working on the basis of registration
to avoid abuses.
The Online Travel section will meet three objectives:
The layout design of Online Travel will reflect the overall graphical design of the Budapest Pocket Guide Website. The main page
will contain six sections covering all types of issues related to
the visitors' travel and staying in Hungary: The Travel Online
website will provide a 4 step ordering to guarantee safety of user
details and to provide realization only in case of confirmed request
from client side. At the first step, the user selects the offer
to order and enters all necessary information. At the second step
the system validates the order and sends a confirmation to the user,
following, the user confirms the order, and finally shipping is
carried out. |
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OPENING UP TRAVEL IN CENTRAL EUROPE | ||||||||||||||||||
| OPEN
BORDERS… OPEN TRAVEL… OPEN MINDS On behalf of Mrs Malgorzata Okonska-Saremba, Junior Minister for Tourism, Poland, Mr Andrzej Kozlowski, President of the Polish Tourist Organisation announced at the World Travel Market in London this week that an inaugural CECTA summit will take place in Krakow 15-17 May 2003. Ministers responsible for travel and tourism and the Directors of the National Tourist Offices from the CECTA countries of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia will address the opportunities for the further creation and development of joint product. “Central Europe is in catch up mode and has huge competition, said Mr Kozlowski. We support all ideas that give us an opportunity to step forward and by working in co-operation we will have a stronger, louder and more effective voice”. Terry Coates, Chairman of CECTA said “In the three years since our launch at WTM, Central Europe has been firmly placed on the tourist map. The summit is a milestone in CECTA’s goal of creating a virtually new destination for the world’s travellers”. With the first joint country advertisement appearing in Travel Weekly to co-incide with WTM, the message of ‘together, we are opening up travel in Central Europe’ the message is loud and clear. Germany's small historic cities and towns are becoming more popular destinations for international visitors as the market for city breaks grows. Recognizing this potential, the German National Tourist Board has launched a marketing campaign and brochure for 2003 with the theme 'Enchanting Towns in Germany - Feel the Romance, Enjoy the Culture'. Other joint initiatives include a CECTA strategy for workshops for the trade including a dedicated industry event for CECTA members. Following on from the success of the CECTA stand at the Germany Travel Show earlier in the year, the Austrian Trade Fair (8th April 2003) will also include a CECTA stand. CECTA and its member countries have highlighted the need to raise the profile and understanding of the Central European Spa tourism product and will be running a conference in association with the Hungarian National Tourist Office and Danubius Hotels in Budapest next autumn. Often away from the hustle and bustle of city life with outstanding scenery and a variety of outdoor pursuits, Spa locations are becoming a draw for the travel industry. Alongside traditional Spa packages, which use the unique natural resources found locally, new products are being developed to offer health, beauty and relaxation for those seeking wellbeing. So CECTA is delighted to announce their partnership with Reed Travel Exhibitions at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai helping to increase the awareness of the spa tourism product. Serving the whole region, including all the GCC states, Arabian Travel Market is the premier regional business forum for inbound, outbound and intra-regional tourism and can enhance the promotion of Central European spas to a global audience. Last, but not least, CECTA is researching, in association with a major international funding agency and industry partners, the Educational and Training needs in Tourism Management in Central and Eastern Europe. “With the impending enlargement of the European Union”, said Gill Wilson, CEO of CECTA, “we are being approached to help develop further co-operation between the public and private sectors and the sharing of resources throughout Central and Eastern Europe to encourage, not only more investment in the emerging countries, but to help ensure that, as tourism expands, there is a well trained work force in place”. |
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WTM - Excel - 11-14 November | ||||||||||||||||||
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For the first time at the World Travel Market (WTM) we will have our
own Central Europe area where all the cecta countries will be sited.
This will give a more cohesive feel and demonstrate how the cecta
countries are working closer together to bring a synergistic feel
to the whole region. On Monday 11 November, there will be a 'Cecta meets the Press' lunch reception, to which all cecta members are cordially invited. Guests will include the Ministers responsible for Tourism from their respective countries, together with National Tourist Office Directors. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO BE AT WTM, SO YOU CAN BE INCLUDED ON THE GUEST LIST TRAVEL WEEKLY To coincide with the run up to WTM the six countries of cecta are planning a special pull-out centre spread feature in the UK travel trade publication Travel Weekly in October. The objective is to create, not only an advertisement, but a merchandising piece that can be used as a poster for educational purposes by travel agents and tour operators. This weekly publication has a circulation of 24,000 and a readership of 72,000 reaching all major influencers in the travel industry in the UK. Whilst advertising space is limited there is an opportunity for members wishing to advertise to do so. Prices depend on size of space required. This is a first for cecta and a rare opportunity - so let us know if you are interested. There will also be a print run on for distribution at WTM. CECTA UK WORKSHOP - LONDON Plans are well advanced for the first CECTA UK workshop for Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Poland and Slovakia working in co-operation. This will be business to business - a one stop shop for all UK operators doing business in Central Europe. As they say watch this space. SPA TOURISM & MICE - HOW TO BRING IN BUSINESS - BUDAPEST The Hungarian National Tourist Office and Danubius have agreed to stage a Spa Tourism conference in Budapest in the Autumn of 2003. The venue will be the Thermal Hotel, Margaret Island. This conference will follow on the successful " How To Bring in Business " conferences initiated by cecta. Further information to follow. EDUCATION The requirement for Central Europe to ensure that a well-trained work force, that meets the needs of the whole region's emerging travel industry, has not gone unrecognised. This is a pressing issue and cecta is launching a study to evaluate the Educational Needs in Tourism Management across the region. We would like to hear from members who feel they can make a contribution. FLOODS The floods this summer have been disastrous throughout Central Europe with the cities of Prague and Dresden being the worst hit and receiving most of the press coverage. The good news is that things are returning to normal and Central Europe is open for business. However, we urgently need to restore confidence throughout the travel industry and across the globe. The media, in particular, need to be encouraged to play their part. Unfortunately many of the stories that were printed were less then helpful and gave many operators real problems. Help, though, is at hand. All the National Tourist Offices of the countries most affected are holding press briefings and planning press visits to demonstrate that it is business as usual. CSA are holding a press conference in London at the Czech Embassy, 26 Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QY at 11am on Friday 20 September and cecta will be there. If any member wishes to attend please let us know or call Iveta Shoppova at the Czech Tourist Authority 020 7631 0426 The Message CENTRAL EUROPE IS BACK IN BUSINESS - SELL WITH CONFIDENCE! DESTINATION WARSAW The hotel groups in Warsaw have really got their act together, a fledgling idea to form a group to actively market the city is now up and running and cecta is playing its part. Our whole objective is to bring about more co-operation and we are delighted to be involved in helping to develop the strategy for this initiative. DANUBE TRAVEL MART This year this event will be held in Bucharest from September 29th to Oct 1st. cecta has been invited to attend by the Romanian National Board this year's hosts for the event. Meetings are scheduled with the directors of the Romanian Tourist board and we will be discussing how our two organisations can benefit from working together. MEMBERS We welcome comments and ideas from you all - please let us have your views to share with all of those working on travel to, from and within Central Europe. |
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Travel
in Russia and Ukraine Today by Stanislava Blagoeva, Director of ITE Travel Exhibitions |
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For further information please contact: Wendy Walker - w.walker@ettfa.org |
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GERMANY TRAVEL SHOW | ||||||||||||||||||
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June kicked off with an outstanding Germany Travel Show at the Royal
Horticultural Halls in Victoria, London. For the first time the German
National Tourist Office invited cecta to have a stand with the remaining
cecta countries being able to have their own presence. Was this a
success? The cecta countries thought so and from the feedback so did
many of the tour operators. The day was one for networking and that
is the key to these events, to meet informally and to develop new
business relationships. With economies of scale very much in mind, the debate has already commenced as to how the cecta countries might now stage a cecta workshop in the future. Watch this space as they say. CZECH EMBASSY EVENING, LONDON - The Magic of Prague Danubius, CSA and the Czech Embassy recently hosted a group of conference organisers from the UK to The Czech Republic to further cement the business relationships that had been developed on the trip. More trips are planned and cecta will be directly involved. High on the agenda for the evening was the promotion of the Danubius Spa resorts who are getting their message out to an ever-widening market. The Spa product is a key marketing focus for all the countries of Central Europe and one where the integration of marketing strategies will pay dividends. HUNGARIAN EMBASSY EVENING, LONDON The Hungarian Ambassador and Gabor Tarr introduced delegates to the attractions of Hungary by a video with a wonderful musical accompaniment by none other than Liszt. Danubius were again out in full with the Chairman of CP Holdings leading the way. Danubius are spearheading the development of Spa, Wellbeing and Fitness throughout Central Europe and highlighted their conference facilities as well. Wonderful food and an enchanting presentation made the evening very memorable and another opportunity to demonstrate, to a willing audience, the joys of Hungary as a travel and tourist destination. A presentation by Malev Hungarian Airlines emphasised that they had the youngest fleet of aircraft in Europe - something not always appreciated! UK AIRPORT TAXES At last the British Chancellor listened to all the lobbying to reduce the departure taxes from the UK which had made it difficult for the Central European Countries to compete with the European Community Countries. We need to ensure that agents pass these savings on. SLOVAKIA Plans are now well advanced for the formation of a Slovak Business Group thanks to Via Carpathia. Information from Matej at www.via-carpathia.com or find them on www.cecta.org. Matej has already gathered together other cecta members so do not hesitate if you want to help drive business to Slovakia. DESTINATION WARSAW Cecta made a presentation to a group of Hoteliers in Warsaw who have formed "Destination Warsaw" to market the city to the world and focus on alleviating the 27% downturn in business the city has suffered since Sept 11. This group is an excellent example of how, despite the need to compete, there is also the need to work together for a common goal. The formulation of a marketing strategy, raising funding and setting up an administration arm are all now well under way. Cecta is delighted to be involved in this new initiative. Cecta also met the Polish Tourist Organisation during this visit and have agreed to develop a conference in 2003 for Poland to bring a sharper focus to the MICE market. The new exhibition centre in Warsaw, EXPO XX11 is also a 'must visit' facility and the perfect venue for a travel and tourism exhibition. This is definitely an initiative cecta will be investigating. PRAGUE CONFERENCE - 11 Feburary 2003 The ITE sponsored cecta conference will be staged at the Inter-continental Hotel on Tuesday 11 February, the week of Holiday World 2003. The subject will be the Markets of the Far East. This, we think, is a first for Central Europe. Whilst the cecta countries have a long history of co-operation in most regions of the world this has not been the case in the Far East. We need to correct this, but more important, open the secrets of this market and in particular the markets of China. We shall have speakers from both sides but incoming travel and tourism will be the focus. This is one for everyone's diary, if you think you understand this market we need to hear from you if you don't you need to be there! INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL MARKET - CANNES 10-12 DECEMBER 2002 CECTA is honoured to have been asked to nominate VIP Hosted Buyers to the exclusive and prestigious International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) taking place in Cannes 10-12 December 2002. www.iltm.net ILTM is a totally focused international business-to-business event that showcases only high quality products and services to specialist trade professionals. Elite traveler's represent a staggering 20% of world-wide holiday expenditure! Leading world-wide trade publications, industry associations, hotel chains and airlines are partnering with ITLM to nominate their international luxury trade clients for inclusion. The VIP Hosted Buyers will enjoy the complimentary benefits of their air travel to Nice: Helicopter/Limousine shuttle from Nice to Cannes; 5* accommodation and other on-site VIP services. We would like nominations for buyers who are the most influential within the industry - chairmen, presidents, CEO's and directors from outbound tour operators and travel agents; private travel arrangers to VIP star and celebrity, royal and governmental clientele; business, incentive and conference travel organisers. So, let us have your nominations quickly - places are limited! Back to top |
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Baubock Report issued by European Tourism Trade Fairs Association |
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threat to travel exhibition organisers from 'Virtual Trade Fairs'
is nonexistent, claims a report published this week. Vanessa Baubock, commissioned by the European Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ETTFA), conducted a one-year study of both physical and virtual exhibitions. Her findings show that Internet expos are claiming to be up to seven times more cost effective, easy to access and free from the logistical headaches that face any traditional fair. But, while market share for online fairs is increasing, the Baubock report says their physical counterparts still outstrip them at the most fundamental level. "Exhibitors need the human touch," says Ms Baubock, "and that's the one thing the Internet cannot offer. People prefer to negotiate face-to-face, read one another's body language, eavesdrop other deals being done. This is impossible online. Virtual trade fair organisers need to recognise that." While maintaining the confident image, many exhibition organisers nevertheless have detailed knowledge of their high-tech competitors. Meanwhile, among show-goers, the aftershock of Sept 11th gave rise to uncertainty: might virtual fairs, cheaper and more time-efficient to run and attend than real ones, soon become the better option? Certainly the spectre of virtual shows has caused sleepless nights in the travel expo industry. But is there anything to worry about? "I could conceive that web-based market places might have some negative implications for the individual shows," concedes Wendy Walker, Secretariat for the European Tourims Trade Fairs Association (ETTFA). "But the Internet cannot replace a tradeshow, in the same way that videoconferencing, for example, has not reduced business travel." According to the Baubock report, virtual fairs offer some tremendous advantages to visitors and exhibitors alike - attractions with which physical fairs cannot compete. Besides obvious savings in time and travel expenditure, the absence of materials means that exhibiting online costs a fraction of the 'real world' price. The scope for each exhibitor is seemingly limitless (and not measured in square meters); a single stand can hold seminars, competitions, product demos and conversations simultaneously. And the 24/7 nature of the Internet means that visitors who would be unable to attend a physical fair can visit online. There are also fewer logistical problems. Dr. Sharda, President of iTradeFair.com says, "To see the physical limitations affecting the industry, take for example the San Jose McEnery Convention Centre - it is booked out until 2010!" The biggest advantage, however, is that a decentralised trade fair held in cyberspace is far more likely to ride out waves of economic uncertainty. Despite all of this, physical exhibition organisers remain confident that they will retain a comfortable lead - and their clients appear to agree. Tom Nutley, chairman of the European Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ETTFA), concurs. "Organisers do not feel the need to go virtual because the human species needs human contact," he says. "Anyone who thinks that computers can replace this is dreaming." With physical fairs enjoying steady growth and their virtual counterparts yet to mount a coherent offensive, it seems unlikely that any collision will take place in the foreseeable future. But the Baubock report, which assimilated data from a large number of fairs and consultations with members of the ETTFA, recommends that a 'third way' be taken. "It's a question of working together," says Ms Baubock. "The benefits offered by virtual fairs can never replace those of face-to-face dealings, but they can greatly enhance extant physical fairs." Outlining the Internet's ability to provide multi-lingual information day and night, hotel booking and car-rental online and image improvement. "Organisers can also use the Internet to cut down on the time needed to input data, by posting online registration forms, online stand bookings, online payment and online badge booking for participants to fill out themselves," she said. "Physical trade fairs should be looking on virtual fairs as the next enhancement of what they've already got." The most surprising revelation of the report, however, is that to date, no-one has thought of this yet. "In a year of research, I could not find one exhibition that had been approached by a virtual fair with a view to collaboration," Ms Baubock says. The report concludes that those who take up the challenge of merging cyberspace with flesh and blood in one trade fair have everything to gain. |
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GOOD NEWS! | ||||||||||||||||||
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April 2002 With
the election of a new government in Poland, a newly elected Minister
responsible for Tourism and a new director for the Polish Tourist
Organisation in Warsaw, the CECTA summit in Krakow is on the agenda
for the autumn. CONFERENCES
– How
to bring in business! Outline
plans have been drawn up for the following How to Bring in Business
Conferences Working alongside ITE, with their unique knowledge and experience of travel and tourism industry events, we have a partnership that will strengthen the marketing ties for the whole region and guarantee the success of the conferences. Conferences are also being planned outside Central Europe to develop incoming business. The first is likely to be in Moscow in 2003. GERMAN
WORKSHOP 6 JUNE SLOVAK
DAY TRAVEL
WEEKLY SUPPLEMENT DUBLIN TRAVEL
AND TOURISM IN CEE – Prague 21 & 22 May 2002 Gill Wilson will be chairing and delivering a keynote presentation at the above conference highlighting the rapid prospect for growth and investment within the region which will require the implementation of new strategies and creation of new partnerships. Further information on www.cecta.org FIRST
FROM ROMANIA |
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Go is #1 carrier between the UK and Czech Republic... | ||||||||||||||||||
| UK
CAA Traffic Stats for all UK airports confirm that in April 2002 Go
was the #1 carrier between the UK and Prague / Czech Republic. As a result of starting our Bristol and East Midlands to Prague services (on 31 March 2002) we carried more passengers between the UK and Prague than any other airline. The passenger market shares were:
CSA still operate
from more UK airports than we do (Birmingham, Manchester, Stansted
and Heathrow) and have more flights per day, but we put more bums
on seats! |
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| Breaking News | |||||||||||||||||||
| Archive - April 2000 to April 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Archive - November 1999 to March 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||
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