Germany
German National Tourist Office (EM1040)
To mark the 20th anniversary celebrations of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German National Tourist Office is inviting visitors to meet its partners on its stand and find out what events are being planned for 2009.
It will also be showcasing several destinations including Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Thuringia, where guests can book into the Waldhotel Rennsteighöhe for the ‘experience reality’ package [German-language website], which includes a stay in a former bunker operated by the Ministry for State Security.
Meanwhile, Air Berlin is giving visitors the opportunity to win a pair of return tickets to Düsseldorf, Paderborn, Munster, Hanover or Nuremberg. Just drop off your business card at the German National Tourist Office stand.
Deutsche Bahn (EM1040)
Also at the GNTO stand are Deutsche Bahn, which will be offering a new range of destinations in eastern Europe through the Europe Special ticket. The tickets offer luxury travel to Hungary, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Luxembourg from £32 (first class £57).
For specific connections and particular countries, tickets can be purchased from as little as £16 (first class £24). Holders of the ‘Bahncard 25’ are entitled to a discount of £4.10.
Spain
Valencia (EM830)
Valencia will be celebrating its position as one of the fastest growing short break destinations in Europe.
The number of British visitors increased by more than 20% in the first half of this year, compared with 2007. And the total income from tourism over the summer months reached €247 million – €46 million more than last summer.
Next year the city is scheduled to host a number of international events including the Spanish F1 Grand Prix, the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament and the World Motorcycling Championships.
The region is also positioning itself as an environmental destination with initiatives such as a traffic-free zone, which crosses Valencia from west to east.
The city has also opened its own bioparc, a natural space dedicated to environmentally sustainable bio-diversity. The park, the largest of its kind in Europe at 334,000 sq metres, makes Valencia one of the most unique and educational environmental tourism destinations in the world.
Event Planner Spain (EM860)
Spain is aiming to further strengthen its position as a destination for meetings, tradeshows and other corporate events. It will be highlighting the benefits of eventplannerspain.com at World Travel Market. The website helps businesses locate event and meetings suppliers in Spain.
Victoria Rent a Car (EM830)
Meanwhile, Spanish car rental company, Victoria Rent a Car, is seeking partners at this year’s WTM. The company claims a strong market position on the Costa Blanca, particularly in Alicante, Valencia and Murcia airport.
Other exhibitors
Algarve (EM215)
The Algarve is as popular as ever. Last year it enjoyed a record number of visitors over the summer with an 8.6% year-on-year increase. This year it will be pushing itself as a winter sun destination.
The region also has a lot to be proud of, having clocked up blue flags for 48 of its clean and safe beaches. It also boasts a new shopping centre, Vila Sol, which opened in Vilamoura in July. You’ll also find out more about why the destination is a golfer’s paradise.
Graubünden (EM2010)
Graubünden, a region of Switzerland, is not necessarily a familiar destination name for most British tourists, but that could change with the launch of its integrated strategy to the UK market.
This will comprise a London Underground poster campaign, branded London taxis, marketing initiatives and the relaunch of its website. A new destination is Davos Klosters, which joined for the first time in 2008. The resorts of Davos and Klosters are now one entity offering sport and leisure.
Pegasus Airlines (EM120)
Turkey’s largest private carrier Pegasus Airlines is giving away five return flights to celebrate the launch of its fifth weekly flight on its Stansted-Istanbul/north Cyprus route. Prices start from just £40 one way including taxes and charges.
