Europe NETHERLANDS BOARD OF TOURISM &
CONVENTIONS (EM300) Sandra Ishmael, director, UK & Ireland
WHAT WILL YOU BE PROMOTING AT WTM? The Liberation Route Europe is a big theme – the route will be launched on D-Day next year. Johannes Vermeer’s famous Girl with a Pearl Earringreturns to The Mauritshuis, The Hague next year. Select Voyages is exhibiting at WTM for the first time – the river cruise company has added the new five-star MS William Shakespeare to its fleet.
HOW ARE ARRIVALS IN 2013? In the first three months of this year, our visitors from Germany were up 13% year-on-year; UK 5%; and Belgium 3%.
WHAT ARE THE TOP REASONS TO VISIT HOLLAND IN 2014? For art lovers: The Mauritshuis, The Hague will reopen after a refurbishment and restoration project. For history buffs: 70th anniversary commemorations will take place in Arnhem to mark Operation Market Garden as part of
NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION OF SERBIA (EM340) Gordana Plamenac, chief executive
WHAT SORT OF YEAR HAS SERBIA HAD IN TERMS OF TOURISM? Serbia continues to grow its market share for international tourism and this year has been no exception, with all key markets reporting substantial growth including the UK, which was up 7% in the first eight months compared with the same period a year ago. Growth has also been encouraging from emerging markets, most notably China and Russia. We have also seen strong regional tourism growth from our neighbours, including Romania and Bulgaria. All in all, our growth in the first eight months was up more than 11%, which is in part due to the co-operative promotional campaigns we have instigated in key markets, spurred on by people looking for something new and finding that in our diverse product offering ranging from city breaks,
the Liberation Route Europe. For nature enthusiasts: Keukenhof Gardens will have a display of seven million tulips in bloom from March to May. And for party animals: on April 26 the first King’s Day in generations will take place across Holland with the focus in Amsterdam.
WHAT NORMALLY SURPRISES VISITORS MOST ABOUT HOLLAND? The ease with which you can get about. It is well connected by a good transport network with cheap fares. We also have a network of cycle routes.
LITHUANIA TOURIST OFFICE (EM570) Dr Raimonda Balniene, director
HOW HAS YOUR DESTINATION PERFORMED IN 2013? Visitor figures from the UK are increasing: in 2012 Lithuania welcomed 65,000 Brits, making the UK our seventh largest source market. In the first six months of 2013, our accommodation providers reported strong growth of British tourists, an increase of 21%.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESSES THIS YEAR? Lithuania is currently holding the EU presidency, putting our capital in the spotlight and showcasing Vilnius as a leisure and
corporate travel destination. This year, we have also employed market-based representatives in key source markets.
WHAT MISCONCEPTIONS DO PEOPLE TEND TO HAVE ABOUT LITHUANIA? Visitors are always surprised at how cosmopolitan our cities are. Both Vilnius and Kaunas have a great cafe culture, relaxed nightlife and superb shopping, as well as a rich history and culture. However, the real surprise lies in our landscape. Our country is covered in forest, it has a wealth of lakes and a pristine 90-kilometre coastline along the stunning Curonian Spit.
WHAT WILL YOU BE SHOUTING ABOUT AT WTM THIS YEAR? Sustainable tourism. For 2013, we are a sponsor of a World Responsible Tourism Award; we're also launching the Amber Road Project, which with UNWTO’s support should develop into an international initiative uniting amber-related countries.
HOW ARE ARRIVALS IN 2013? Our visitor figures continue to rise; for the month of July alone we have an increase of 10.6% compared with 2012 and for the period from January to July, 8.1%. This in itself seems to be a continuing upward trend in the past few years. Education and youth travel is also a big growth area.
cultural attractions, nature and the outdoors to winter-sports and festivals including EXIT and Belgrade BeerFest. In terms of Europe, we offer exceptional value for money. Serbia has also witnessed strong airline growth from carriers using Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport, for travel not only to Serbia, but also regionally, catering for our continued travel and tourism growth.
WHAT WILL YOU BE SHOUTING ABOUT AT THIS YEAR’S WTM? The National Tourism Organisation of Serbia will launch a campaign entitled Lifestyle Serbia at WTM to highlight the country’s culture, gastronomy, drink, music, nightlife and festivals.
GERMAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE (EM540)
Klaus Lohmann, director, UK & Ireland office
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS IN 2013? Our specialist campaigns have done really well, such as our Youth Campaign Germany Rocks; Wagner; and German design – it’s where Bauhaus started and the effects of this are still relevant today. The Brothers’ Grimm campaign has been popular. We’re especially proud of the success of our Barrier Free campaign.
WHAT’S TO COME IN 2014? Germany is going to be in the spotlight in 2014 – we have just launched our Royal Heritage Route for 2014 to mark the 300th anniversary of the Hanoverian accession to the thrones of the UK and Ireland and this will be reflected in some major campaigns in the UK – as well as in Germany. Accessible travel is a big theme: attitudes are changing and we are working with travel experts in the UK and Germany to make big changes. Also Unesco – visit our stand to find out how you can get involved in any of our seven or more marketing themes for next year. 2014 will also be the start of a two-year campaign to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall.
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