January 17, 2010 BVV Press Center - GO and REGIONTOUR 2010 – tours and travelling at the Exhibition Centre
The traditional Central-European Travel Trade Fairs were attended by 1085 exhibiting firms from 19 countries on the exhibition space of 10 180 m². The highest number of visitors was surprisingly noted as early as on the first fair day, when almost 11 000 professionals came to the Exhibition Centre. On the first two days the fairs were attended by more than 18 000 registered professionals. Total number of visitors has been estimated to exceed last year’s 32 000 persons. Foreign visitors came from 14 countries, in particular from neighbouring Slovakia and Poland, however, individual visitors also arrived from Australia, Malta or Egypt.
The REGIONTOUR Fair presented again tourist offer of all Czech regions, towns, incoming agencies and, in increased number, also regions from neighbouring countries. Thanks to the location in the new Hall P, the whole REGIONTOUR Fair incl. its accompanying program could be staged in the only hall. Visitors appreciated a new product arrangement, which enabled them a better orientation in the offer of tourist products.
The jubilee run of the GO Fair was an inspiration to foreign tours and stays. The offer of its exhibitors – home travel offices and agencies, foreign tourist authorities and providers of services in tourism – included 120 foreign destinations. The atmosphere in Hall F was revived with a new attractive program “Under the wings of the association”, prepared in cooperation with the Association of Travel Agencies CZ.



Top discussions on a support of tourism development
The importance of the fairs was supported by the presence of the top representatives of regions from both state administration and businessmen sphere. At the Roundtable on the topic “Jointly against the crisis” Minister for Local Development Rostislav Vondruška, Vice-Chairwoman of the Czech regions and Administrator of the Pilsen region Milada Emmerová, Manager of the Czech Tourist Authority CzechTourism Pavel Kosař, Chairman of the Association of Travel Agencies CZ Viliam Sivek and President of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants CZ Pavel Hlinka met. In conclusion of the discussion both Minister and Administrators – represenentatives of seven regional councils - ceremonially signed a document on EU subsidy to regional operation programs. Projects in transport, tourism and development of towns and communities will be, this year, subsidized by the amount of 28.9 bill. CZK. On the next day, administrators attended a session by the Council of Czech Region Association, from where they sent the government an appeal to allocate the money, not spent for central operation programs, to regional operation programs.

Large offer of accompanying conferences, presentations and competitions
One of the topics of the REGIONTOUR Fair was a promotion of the Czech Republic as a congress and incentive destination. A new association Czech Convention Bureau, aimed at promoting a unification and increased number of congress events in individual regions presented itself for the first time to the professional public. The Association associating regional congress tourist offices revealed its philosophy and activities for 2010, a new vision of a complex presentation of the Czech Republic and uniform branding destinations. Also the usual fair workshop dealt with the topic of the congress tourism. Some more specialist accompanying events were focused on a development of country tourism, promotion of folklore activities and gastronomic tourism or on developing tourism. The Agency CzechTourism presented its marketing plan for 2010 and Ministry for Local Development a new quality label in tourism CzechQuint.
The most important of the competitions announced during the fair was Grand Prix REGIONTOUR or Our Region 2009. The traditional fair competition for the best tourist product, emphasizing promotion of regions was jointly staged, this year for the first time, with a similar competition announced by the Publishing House C.O.T. media. The Jury of Assessment appraised almost ninety applications, entered for the competition by more than sixty tourist entities. In the category Best tourist product the holiday program “Kutná Hora summer 2009“ won.
The most significant event of the rich accompanying program for the general public was the 13th Festival of films, photos and publications on travelling topics GO CAMERA 2010. Major topic of the meeting which is the largest of its sort in the Czech Republic, was the Himalaya legend Šangri-la. Lectures, video projections, talks and exhibitions of photos attracted, within four days, thousands of travelling enthusiasts from both the Czech Republic and abroad to the Brno Exhibition Centre.



What was said about the fairs:

Rostislav Vondruška, Minister for Local Development CZ:
It can be stated that REGIONTOUR has chosen the right method, how to address regions, towns and tourists. It is a classical consumer fair, providing an inspiration to future consumers of tourist services. Also specialist public acquaints with new products, which is well complemented by the jointly staged GO Fair. After the years, when I have regularly visited the fairs, I can state a marked shift in the quality of promotional materials of regions and towns as to their graphics and contents. I was personally surprised at this year’s increase of the space sold, which is positive. The greatest motive is the fact that people want to meet the exhibitors in person, to listen to their recommendations as they consider the Internet insufficient.

Viliam Sivek, Chairman of the Association of Travel Agencies CZ:
I have been a regular visitor to the fairs and their fan. They point out regions, which is their advantage. At the time of economic crisis. their participation is very good. And also the new location in Hall P is fantastic.

Ms. Zdeňka Marková, mayor of Nové Město na Moravě:
The presentation of regions and towns which are centers of tourism, is an important part of their life. REGIONTOUR is a suitable opportunity not only for their own promotion, but also for an inspiration. This year was very successful. Everyone can find, what he is interested in.

Jan Koláčný, product manager of CK EXIM tours:
The reason, why we have come back to the Brno fair, is simple. We have been missing for several years and the region has forgotten us. We have also established several new travel offices in Southen Moravia, three of them in Brno.

Tomáš Němec, Manager of the travel office CK Aeolus:
We are satisfied with our participation. We have been coming here every year and this year seems to be similar to the past one, as far as the distribution of catalogues, signed contracts etc. are concerned. We have our clients in Moravia so that GO is a prestigious event for us and one of a few during a year to meet with friends and business partners and to exchange experience.

Daniel Hagen, owner of the company Dutch Masters and Manager of the Dutch Tourist Information Office:
We have come back to GO after a several-year break, however, I arrive every year as a visitor.The fair is smaller than in the past, however, I was surprised at the number of visitors as early as on the first day. Our stand was visited by a lot of people, who were interested in our offer. On the first day I talked to lots of people and also my lecture aroused great interest. Our participation was certainly positive.

Miroslav Caban, photographer:
Many people now prefer the Internet, but I like a contact with people. I am pleased to meet them at the fair and to talk to them. Today a lady came and told me: „Mr. Caban, it’s fantastic, thank you.”

Preliminary statistical data:
From the survey it follows that four fifths of the visitors have been coming to the GO and REGIONTOUR Fairs regularly. Most often they are interested in a detailed information on a concrete region, both at home or abroad. 28 % of the respondents had a business discussion or established business contacts. Altogether 88.5 % were satisfied with their visit to the fairs and appreciated the attraction of the products or services offered, their quantity and the quality of the accompanying program. 94 % of the visitors want to come again next year.
At the Press Center a total of 452 journalists from four countries were accredited. Thirty foreign journalists came from Poland, Russia and Slovakia.

Next year’s run of the GO and REGIONTOUR Fairs will be staged from January 13 – 16, 2011.


The above information is preliminary only. The definitive final report will be published by BVV Trade Fairs Brno after all statistical data have been audited. The statistical figures given are based on the principles laid down by UFI ((The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), Paris.