Portorož Tourist Board is pleased with its performance
at the EXPO exhibition in Dubai, where it impressed travel agents and tour
operators with its rich offer of local experiences.
The presentation
of Slovenia's Mediterranean and Karst macroregion occurred between the 9th and
16th February, at Slovenia’s pavilion at the EXPO world exhibition in Dubai.
The macroregion is made up of the following destinations: Vipava Valley and
Nova Gorica, Brda, Green Karst, Karst and Brkini, Ankaran, Koper, Izola,
Portorož and Piran. Portorož Tourist Board oversaw the coordination of the
presentation of Slovenia's Mediterranean and Karst macroregion on behest of the
public agency SPIRIT and the Slovenian Tourist Board. The presentation was
co-financed by the Slovenian Tourist Board.
Due to the
restrictions imposed on the EXPO presentation in Dubai (serving food and drink
was prohibited), the representatives of the macroregion opted to present the
region through a dynamic multimedia performance. The video presentation, designed
by Kobal Production agency, was accompanied by elements of live singing,
dancing and recital performances. Singer and dancer Tjaša Fajdiga assumed
the main role in the 30-minute presentation. The presentation was further
enhanced by the surround sound and the enchanting scent of lavender.
The presentation
was very well received by the audience. The organisers took advantage of the key
moment at Dubai EXPO, the presentation of Slovenia's national holiday on the
8th of February, which attracted even more visitors to our pavilion.
As well as being
the team responsible for linking the eight destinations in Dubai, the Portorož
Tourist Board representatives also acted as informers at the Slovenian pavilion
(exchanging turns with other representatives of the Mediterranean and Karst
Slovenia). They have also attended the B2B workshop, organised by STB on the 9thof February at the One and Only Royal Mirage hotel. The workshop offered a
unique opportunity for the team to showcase the offers from the Portorož &
Piran destinations, along with a shorter 7-minute version of the Mediterranean
and Karst Slovenia presentation. They
have also met with more than 40 travel agencies and tour operators from all
over the world, with the majority being from the Gulf countries (GCC). Potential
clients expressed great interest in Portorož and Piran, especially due to its
unspoiled nature and the rich offer of local experiences. The latter proved to
be the most attractive element of the destination’s offer. Portorož airport
also provides great convenience, especially for visitors with private planes. A
member of Portorož Tourist Board’s team at the workshop also acted as the
representative of the Association of Historical Cities of Slovenia, of which
the Municipality of Piran is a member.
Mag. Aleksander Valentin, director of Portorož Tourist Board »The EXPO is one
of the most renowned events in the world and it is an honour to have been able
to coordinate the presentation of our macroregion. The Dubai exhibition
exceeded all expectations due to the remarkable interest shown in our
macroregion destinations. The Gulf countries provide great potential for
expanding the market of our destination. We will maintain, deepen and strengthen
our newly acquired business ties and convert them into done deals. «
»The innovative and perfectly organised presentation
of Mediterranean and Karst Slovenia was extremely well received by the business
and media public. The overture into making new contacts and business
partnerships between the Slovenian and GGC foreign business partners was
especially pleasing« added mag. Karmen Novarlič, Head of Business
Communication Department at the Slovenian Tourist Organisation.
To maintain contact with
potential clients, the Tourist Board are already working on organising online workshops
which promote offered experiences for agents of potential partners encountered
at the workshop.