Making an investment for the future at WTM

Central and eastern europe by Matt Bond

Making an investment for the future at WTM

Countries promote culture at event

Hungary

Hungary – The Essence of Europe will be the main slogan for the Hungarian National Tourist Office as it prepares for a double celebration this year on December 31 – the new millennium and the thousand year anniversary of the coronation of its first king, St Stephen.

Hungary will also becelebrating as details are released of the expansion of its tourist infrastructure with £300 million investment in hotels alone.

Polished performance: Warsaw will be highlighted as a city-break destination

Poland

The cities of Warsaw, Cracow and Gdansk will be promoted at the show as the Polish National Tourist Office pushes its city-break market.

It will also promote the two key areas of culture andheritage in its cities butwill also focus on a newmarketing theme of Health and Sun which includes active tourism, spa tourism and agro tourism.

Time Out

&#42 CONCERTS:thePolish National Tourist Office will hold two concerts of Chopin’s music by thePolish Jazz singer Urszula Dudziak at the main stage at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Slovenia

Slovenia will be fielding its biggest ever team effort this year with around 20 exhibitors pushing the message that ‘Slovenia is green, clean and ready.’ Over 50% of Slovenia is wooded or pastureland and the country will be announcing a number of environmental initiatives such as the regulated control of hotel construction and the preservation of coastlines, forests and rivers.

Croatia

The Croatian National Tourist Board has its first ever female minister of tourism, Pave Zupan Ruskovic, present at the show.

She will be outlining the investments made in Croatian tourism and stressing the importance of offering a quality product in the light of increased short-haul competition.

Croatian National Tourist Board director Niko Bulic will also describe initiatives to attract more, UK-based tour operators toCroatia.

Time Out

&#42 Happy Hour on the Slovenian stand isNovember 15 from 3pm for local delicacies -wind dried ham, Bohinj cheese and speciality cream buns from Lake Bled. All that food can be washed down with Pinot and the unique Slovenian wine – Zelen.

Austria

The Austrian National Tourist Office stand will see a total of 45 Austrian representatives from five provinces – Carinthia, Salzburg, Tirol, Vorarlberg and Vienna.

Details of the launch of a direct marketing initiative to attract more conference and incentive groups to Austria entitled ‘Austria: Red Carpet Treatment’ will also be unveiled.