World Travel Market – A Travel and Tourism Exhibition of Global Significance (10th -13th October 2008)

Slovak Participation in the Event
Slovakia at WTM London focused mainly on generating publicity and B2B activities. For the first time in its history Slovakia expanded its presentation and participated not only in a national exposition, but the Slovak Tourist Agency (SACR) also organised a series of complementary promotional events by means of which Slovakia was positively presented at this prestigious professional travel trade exhibition.

At a press conference for British journalists, SACR represented Slovakia as one of the fastest developing tourist destinations in Europe. The press conference was presided over by Martin Horváth, marketing director of SACR. The SACR representative for the British market, Mary Stuart-Miller, presented Slovakia to the participants as a modern attractive destination which will attract British visitors mainly through products such as city breaks, incentive programmes, spa, wellness and ski holidays. The information on Slovakia was supplemented by contributions from other speakers: representatives of the capital city of Bratislava, the Vysoké and Nízke Tatra Mountains and the city of Košice. The press conference was attended by the Sunday Times, Living Magazine, the Trinity Mirror Group, Woman’s Own Magazine, the Irish Times and others.

Further accompanying activities included a “Stand Party” within the Slovak exposition attended by Slovak co-exhibitors and partners from Great Britain, by journalists and tour operators and by other guests involved in tourism. The agenda for the event included a performance of Laco Lučenič’s band Satisfactory, Slovak wine tasting and a presentation of films on Slovakia. SACR further extended its activities at the stand. In addition to Laco Lučenič and his band, the Zlaté husle violin ensemble with Ján Babjak, violinist Dalibor Karvay and pianist Daniel Buranovský also performed. Apart from the artistic performances the exhibition visitors also had an opportunity to have their first Slovak “Euro-tokens” minted. 

This year’s presentation of Slovakia at the WTM exhibition had a unified vision and the theme of “Slovakia – a fairytale land”. As well as their new promotional spot, SACR also introduced themselves to WTM visitors through a highly visual campaign within the exhibition grounds for the first time. Advertising billboards were placed at both the exhibition grounds and the exhibition hall entrances and “footprints” led visitors to the Slovak exposition.

More info: www.wtmlondon.com, www.sacr.sk/sacr

By Martin Hakel, Beata Pašková
Photo: Archive SK Magazine, L. Šiller

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