Attractive new introductions at 2010 Vakantiebeurs Anniversary
In 2010 Vakantiebeurs will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in style with 1600 participants from more than 160 countries and special anniversary activities. To give substance to the year’s exhibition theme ‘Meet the Locals’ the exhibitors are flying in thousands of local experts especially for this event, to provide visitors with first-hand information about popular holiday destinations. With special presentations from the two guest countries, Indonesia and Portugal, and the South Africa Village, and also on account of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Vakantiebeurs 2010 offers some interesting ‘firsts’. Three Ministers have confirmed that they will be attending the official opening of Vakantiebeurs 2010 on the trade day, Tuesday 12 January: Dutch Minister G. Verburg, Culture and Tourism Minister of Indonesia H.E. Jero Wacik and South African Minister of Tourism M. van Schalkwyk. By her presence Minister Verburg will draw attention to the varied recreational opportunities offered by the Netherlands. Minister Wacik represents ‘Guest Country Distant Destinations Indonesia’ and Minister Van Schalkwyk represents the ‘South Africa Village’. The trade day is for travel professionals and the press only. Last year Vakantiebeurs 2009 attracted 20,000 professionals and 115,000 consumers.
Interest in sustainable initiatives continues to increase in the Dutch travel world as well. On the morning of Wednesday 13 January travel sector organisation ANVR, Travel Foundation Nederland and Vakantiebeurs are organising a special meeting on ‘Sustainable tourist entrepreneurship in practice’. The theme of the programme will be current and future travel sector initiatives for the promotion of sustainable tourism. The objective is to motivate the sector to join these initiatives and provide an understanding of why sustainable tourism is worth getting involved in.
Hints & tips
Project Manager Bart Strijker: “For any holidaymaker this event is the start of a successful holiday. Meanwhile, they will meet people from destinations around the world, and who better than local experts from the actual holiday countries to provide first-hand advice and interesting hints and tips. This makes the coming Vakantiebeurs very special and an unforgettable experience”, explains Bart Strijker.
Gezond op reis
‘Gezond op Reis’ (Healthy travelling) will once again be the main sponsor of Vakantiebeurs 2010. With around 500,000 visitors per year this information campaign, which draws attention to the websites www.GezondOpReis.nl and www.LCR.nl, has become an integral part of the information provision to travellers. Gezondopreis.nl wants travellers to be even more aware of the risks they are exposed to when travelling. Every year some 1.5 million Dutch travel to destinations far and wide for holidays or work. Vakantiebeurs has also entered into a partnership with Zoover.nl for MyZoover, the social networking site of Zoover.nl. This partnership fits in well with the objective of generating leads for its customers throughout the year.
Covered camp site
Vakantiebeurs 2010 is an exciting event, a fascinating exhibition experience, with food, drinks, a great atmosphere and culture. New features this year are an expansive covered campsite taking up an entire hall, and the themed ‘Family & Fun’ course, with a select range of products for families with young children; all these are initiatives which, together with other tried-and-tested activities, will guarantee the success of the world’s largest consumer travel event. During the fair South Africa will draw consumer attention with the ‘South Africa Village’. This lively pavilion, in which around 40 exhibitors are taking part, will focus on the most stunning South African destinations, will be showing football demonstrations and will entertain visitors with local music and dance. Statistics show that camping is also becoming increasingly popular among holidaymakers. Last year 2.7 million Dutch chose a camping destination abroad; this year that number is around 2.8 million. A good reason for the organisers to fit out a complete hall as a covered campsite. Holidaymakers who want to immerse themselves in sun, sea and sand should not miss the Caribbean Village in hall 1, an exuberant village with dance, music and presentations for the pleasure-loving tourist.
Themed presentations
The European Travel Theatre will show interesting themed presentations about European holiday destinations. The World at your Feet Plaza focuses completely on global destinations. The theatre is designed in a style that exudes ‘40 years of Vakantiebeurs’. The lively World Market offers Fair Trade products from around the world and the many stalls will provide information about charities and volunteer work. The best Kids Holiday Provider will also be chosen during Vakantiebeurs 2010. The public days of Vakantiebeurs 2010 are Wednesday 13 January – Sunday 17 January from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday 15 January.
