Tourism fairs

Participation in four sector-specific European fairs and promotional event in Marseilles

The TourNatur fair, specifically dedicated to nature activities (hiking and cycle touring), took place in Düsseldorf from 6th to 8th September. The Tourist Board, representing the Pirineus de Catalunya brand, participated in the fair within the exhibitor space of the leading German hiking publication Wandermagazine. The fair welcomed around 40,000 visitors with an interest in active holidays.

Later on in the month, from 17th to 21st September, the Dutch city of Utrecht hosted the 50PlusBeurs fair, aimed at the seniors’ market. Keen to explore the commercial possibilities offered by the fair, the Tourist Board arranged meetings with leading tour operators such as Oad Reizen, Treinreiswinkel, Sunliner and Select Voyages.

Coinciding with the Dutch fair, the Tourist Board also attended the Otdykh Leisure Fair held in Moscow from 17th to 20th September, with the goal of exploring opportunities and making commercial contacts. It held meetings with tour operators including Coral Travel, Tez Tour and Anex Tour, with which it analysed the results of the present season and begin to plan co-marketing initiatives for the 2014 season.

The Costa Brava Association of Underwater Tourist Activity Centres (member of the Nature and Active Tourism Club) took part for the first time in the Interdive diving fair in the German city of Friedrichshafen, held from 19th to 22nd September, with the goal of reactivating the German market in this activity on the Costa Brava.

Last of all, from 27th to 29th September the Village Catalan, an event for the general public promoted by the Catalan Tourism Agency, was held in Marseilles. The Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board and other tourism bodies from the Girona took part with the aim of attracting French interest in the destination. During the event, information was distributed on the general tourism offering of the area and entertainment was provided in the form of cultural displays by the geganters (giant figures) of La Vall d’en Bas and the Tourism Association of Palafrugell, which performed havaneres (colonial sea shanties). There was also a Pitch & Putt workshop organised by the Peralada Group, children’s painting workshops organised by the Pals Tourist Office and a rowing canoe simulator provided by the Banyoles Tourist Office.

Staying with the French market, another highlight in September was the Tourist Board's attendance for the first time at a workshop organised in the city of Lyon by the tour operator Cadence Voyages, which specialises in the organisation of corporate meetings.