TOUR SALON Trade Fair of Regions and Tourist Products 2013
17-19.10.2013
Tourist offers from Poland and other countries, meeting of the whole tourism industry
in one place, conferences, trainings and workshops for professionals and many
attractions for wide publicity – this is how for three days the exhibition pavilions in
Poznań during TOUR SALON looked like.
This year edition of the Fair TOUR SALON was for sure much more intensive for all, both
for exhibitors and visitors. Instead of four days, three. New localization in pavilions 3 and 3a
that were available for guests direct from the street. Thursday belonged to the professionals
from the industry. For the first time in the history after registration they had a free access to
the fair. The visitors could get to the fair with special buses departing from some cities in
Poland. On Friday the atmosphere was getting hotter, there were more presentations on the
Culture Stage, animations and competitions on the stands, all prepared special to get visitors
attention and to present advantages of region or country. On Saturday the visitors could meet
famous travellers and take part in the premiere edition of the Traveller Festival, which took
them to the most distant corners of the world.
TOUR SALON gave an opportunity to acquaint
visitors with offers of all Polish and many
foreign regions, national tourist promotion
centers, travel agencies, tour operators,
accommodation service providers, hotels,
carriers, insurance companies, service
providers for the tourist sector like booking
systems, SPA and wellness centers, as well as
publishing houses and Internet portals
2013 more than 600 participants took part in this
tourist event. During these three days Poznań
was visited by more than 18.000 guests, and
almost half of them were professionals. The show gathered offers from 39 countries: Andorra,
Armenia, Brazil, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia
Finland, France, Greece, Georgia, Spain, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Macedonia,
Mexico, Moldova, Nepal, Germany, Norway, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Romania,
Slovenia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, and United Arab
Emirates. This fact confirms the huge popularity and recognition of TOUR SALON outside
the Polish boarders.
For this three days Poznań was not only the
place of meeting of professionals from the
sector of the tourist services, who had an
opportunity to totally complete their offers of
tourist, incentive or integrative travels, but
also the possibility to talk about trends in
the industry development. On the grounds of
the Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie has
gathered the whole tourism industry, including
exhibitors and all chambers, organizations, associations of Polish tourism, which had proved,
that the fair TOUR SALON is respected in the industry, and has become permanent fixtures
in the tourism’s industry calendar.
The Honorary Patronage over the fair was taken by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the
Polish Tourist Organization and the Polish Chamber of Tourist as well as the City of Poznań.
For the first time in the history, the magazine National Geographic Traveler was a partner
of TOUR SALON.
Furthermore, the partner of the event TOUR SALON was also the company Landbrandt, Eholiday and the Festival Śladami Marzeń (Following Dreams).
The media patronage was taken by Polski Traker Bus, Podróże, Poznaj Świat, Rynek
Podróży, Rynek Turystyczny, TTG Poland, Tur-Info, Wiadomości Turystyczne, Witaj w
Podróży, Dla Studenta, RMF and Radio Merkury.
Awards and distinctions
During the opening ceremony in the presence of the national and local governments’
representatives, ambassadors and representatives from the tourism industry were given couple
of awards relevant in the tourism industry
TRAPERA 2013 award was given by the Polish Chamber of Tourism and Międzynarodowe
Targi Poznańskie for the best promotion of Poland abroad and it was received by the travel
agency Classic Travel. TRAPERA 2013 for the best cooperation of the local government
administration with tourism industry went to the Tatra County.
During the ceremony were given also awards for the best Tour Operators 2013 in the
contest organized by the Polish Chamber of Tourist and by the media patronage - editorial
board of TTG Poland. The title of the best Tour Operator 2013 went to Nowa Itaka, followed
by Rainbow Tours, Grecos Holiday and Wezyr Holiday Service (ex aequo). The agency
Logos Travel Marek Śliwa received a distinction.
Also on the first day of the fair were presented the
laureates of the third edition of the Contest Róża
Regionów (Rose of the Regions), organized by the
editorial board of the magazine Wiadomości
Turystyczne. Among 70 received works ex. folders,
albums, guides, the jury had selected 25 best projects
and finally announced three winners in three
categories: folder (the Regional Tourist Organization
from Opole – VisitOpolskie, the catalogue of the
tourism products), series (the Local Tourist Organization in Poznań – tourist card of Poznań),
special project ( The Marshal’s Office of the Świętokrzyskie Region – go to Świętokrzyskie
Mountains – hikes through the Region).
The exhibition stand, its arrangement and design has to correspond with the exhibitor’s offer.
Because of that, a proper stand is a strategic element of every fair. For many years
Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie has been giving Acanthus Aureus for the stands that
implement the marketing strategies of companies participating in the fair in the best way. In
the contest Acanthus Aureus were distinguished three stands: the Association of Culture,
Tourist and Recreation in Śląsk (Śląski Klaster Kultury, Turystyki i Rekreacji) (pavilion
3A/9), the Marshal’s Office of the Lubuskie Region (3A/29), the Marshal’s Office of the
Lublin Region in Lublin (3A/53), the Tourist Organization in the Małopolskie Region
(3A/58), MONDIAL ASSISTANCE, AGA INTERNATIONAL SA branch in Poznań
(3/158), the City of Łódź (3A/21) and Insurance Company EUROPA (pavilion 3/8).
7 new Polish Wonders and the Certificate of Polish Tourist Organization
Because of the position of the fair TOUR SALON in the tourism industry, National
Geographic Traveler and the Polish Organization of Tourist had chosen Poznań for the
place of the awards and distinctions distribution. On the second day of the event, took place
the ceremony conducted by Martyna Wojciechowska, the director of National Geographic
Traveler and Rafał Szmytke, the president of the Polish Tourist Organization. During this
event were chosen 7 new Polish Wonders of National Geographic Traveler and was given the
Certificate of the Polish Tourist Organization.
The irrevocable winner of the third edition of the plebiscite “7 new Polish Wonders” was
Natural Landscape Park – Kraków Valleys. The category Nature, introduced for the first time,
the winner was the Valley in Noteć.
In the contest organized by the Polish Tourist Organization for the best tourism product the
winner was the Wooden Architecture Route that received the Golden Certificate. The jury
gave 10 certificates to tourism products chosen from the 42 applications. Also three
distinctions were announced as well as three nominations to the Golden Certificate.
Practice, information and contacts
The professionals came to Poznań not only because of the fair but also because of the
additional events like conferences, trainings and workshops. The high level of the events as
well as wide spectrum of topics attracted many participants: starting from the owners of the
travel agencies, tour operators, owners of the hotels and SPA ending with the employees of
the marketing departments in institutions dealing with the promotion of tourism, or the
organizations of incentive travels.
Apart from the available to the wide publicity events, the fair TOUR SALON was also an
opportunity for chambers, associations and different type of tourist organizations active in
Poland to organize the closed meeting, when they discussed the strategies, development
tendencies as well as changes in the tourism industry in Poland.
During TOUR SALON were organized
for the fourth time the workshops in
the e-marketing Travel 2.0, that thanks
to the high content level as well as
updating the topics are very popular
among visitors and have become a
permanent part of the whole fair.
For the second time the Polish Tourist
Organization has organized during the
MTP the expert day, that concerned
subjects connected with Spa and
Wellness, the product that is becoming
the Polish export specialty. Traditionally, also were discussed topics concerning guide books.
The contest the Review of the Travel Books is a part of the fair for 22 years.
Not so long ago, the information about foreign countries was taken from the publications, and
despite the popularity of the Internet, they are still an important window on the world and
source of knowledge for many readers.
Very popular among guests was organized for the first the conference “Culinary Travel –
POLISH HIT”, that gathered more than 120 participants listening with interest to the most
tasty kind of travelling. The speaker served 8 speeches concerning the stylish and searched
trend in Poland. Among other things, were presented interesting examples of using culinary
tourism in the creation of the tourism product by the Polish regions. Already today we would
like to announce that this conference will be repeated next year.
For many professionals very useful was presentation made by Voyages-sncf and Atout France
concerning the fast and intuitive ways of tickets booking for trains in France in Europe during
meeting with tour operators, travel agencies, and incentive agencies. The knowledge about the
incentive travel could be completed during the conference organized by the Association of
Operators Incentive Travel that in a practical and professional way explained dangers as well
as truth and lies connected with such travelling. In turn, during the conference The best
travel to Croatia with eurolot.com! organized by the Croatian National Tourist Board
together with Eurolot the visitors were encouraged to visit Croatia with airplanes. Besides
advantages and opportunities that the air connections are giving, they also presented the
seasonal summary as well as plans for the next year.
During the seminary „Israel – destination changed into a product” were discussed the tools
that have an influence on the increase in the attractiveness of the journeys to Israel. The
seminary was organized by the Israel Government Center of Tourism, IGTO Poland. The
tourism product was also touched upon the context of the Ukraine. The Polish-Ukraine
Tourism Chamber during the conference New Ukraine- its places and regions, presented new
tourism products from Ukraine, gave much practical information on travelling,
communication and infrastructure in this country.
There were also some local features. The Tourist Organization of the Wielkopolska Region
presented the first professional mobile application GPS over the Big Loop of Wielkopolska.
It is worth to mention, that the mobile applications are getting more and more popular among
tourist, so this event was really important. Additionally, 2013 was the 50. anniversary of the
Tourist Information in the Wielkopolska Region, so the experts from the Tourist
Organization shared their experience connected with the working in the Tourist Information
in Wielkopolska. During the conference it was highlighted, that the points of tourist
information are really helpful, because almost every tourist who wants to sightsee the city is
visiting this places to get some necessary information.
Japanese atmosphere
This year’s partner country was Japan. Its participation in the TOUR SALON resolved all
doubts of guests who wanted to visit this part of Asia. It appears that Japan is not so
expensive, as many may think and in addition thanks to the new air connections it is easier to
get there. In the national stand the visitors had an opportunity to find information concerning
travelling to this Land of the Rising Sun as well as get to know some tourism products in
cities and this connected with the nature. What’s more the guests could admire the
calligraphy, self-made kaleidoscope and take part in the origami workshops. On the Culture
Stage were shown various martial arts and the traditional Japanese dance.
T
Veneto – smell of basil and snow
The stand of Veneto – the foreign partner region of
TOUR SALON – was attracting the visitors to take part
in the events in the coming ski season and much more.
Each visitor was informed, that Veneto is characterized
by the real diversity that will delight everyone – from
backpackers, families with children to the most
requiring customers, who are searching for an exclusive,
relax. Veneto invites to Dolomites, Venice, to the lake
Garda and sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, and
that is not all what this beautiful region can offer. The
guests could also taste the Italian dishes, prepared by the
chef, who didn’t have to coax anybody into trying his delicacies.
Cultural diversity – Culture Stage
The permanent element of the whole event was
the colorful, folklore and diverse Culture
Stage. During the performances the audience
had an opportunity to admire the culture from
the far corners of the world ex. Japanese or
Indonesian culture. There were of course some
Polish elements presented by the music band
or folklore groups, including “Śląsk” Song and
Dance Ensemble.
Travelling with children
For the first time TOUR SALON included important information for parents and future
parents on subjects connected with travelling with children during the seminary of experts
Anna and Krzysztof Kobus.
Vernissages, exhibitions and photography
Like always TOUR SALON was a place of many exhibitions and vernissages, which main
topic was travelling. Together with the contest “7 new Polish Wonders” organized by the
National Geographic Traveler, in the chosen Polish cities was presented the photography
exhibition showing the works of the previous laureates and nominees. The end of the
exhibition was during the TOUR SALON, so that the visitors were able to see the magazine
collection and admire the tourist wonders in
Poland.
During the fair was also opening of the
exhibition of the VII International Zielonka
Forest Open Air Sculpture, when several
artists touched upon the subject Connection –
creating their artworks in wood from the local
tries. The Center of Mountain Tourist of
PTTK in Kraków under their 140 anniversary
of the Polish Tatra Association prepared for
the fair the exhibition “From the Tatra
Association into the Polish Tourist and
Sightseeing Society PTTK”. The Tourist
Organisation from Śląsk presented the
exhibition Trail of the Eagles’ Nests. There was also photography from journeys. Africa
with backpack – the title of the exhibition made by Jerzy Pawleta that was a part of the
Traveler Festival “Following Dreams”.
Famous visitors
The TOUR SALON was full of attractions for
the publicity, including meetings with famous
travelers. The stand of National Geographic
Traveler was surrounded by the readers, who
wanted to meet Marek Kamiński, Marcin
Kydryński, and were waiting for the meeting
with special guest, the director of the
magazine, Martyna Wojciechowska.
Furthermore, in the stand of the magazine
Podróże, the visitors could meet Michał
Kruszona,
the author of bestsellers
“Rumunia”, “Uganda. Jak się masz
Muzungu”, “Czarnomorze” and Anna Maria
Goławska with Grzegorz Lindenberg, authors of the book „Toskania i Umbria”.
The Traveler Festival „Following Dreams”
Crowds of people, who wanted to listen some
interesting stories about journeys across the
various corners of the world took part in the first
Traveler Festival “Following Dreams”. This
event was also relevant for speakers, who were
trying to win the first prize for the best speech.
The prize was two weeks in New York with the
opportunity to give two speeches according to the
previous journeys. Today we would like to invite
you to the second edition of the Festival that
because of this year’s success has become a
permanent part of the TOUR SALON.
TOUR SALON 2014
The jubilee, 25th edition of the fair TOUR SALON will take place the next year. We would
like to invite you today to enter the Tour Salon Trade Fair into your calendars for next year,
between October 23 and 25, 2014