The Post WTM Spotlight seashow took the Nordic countries by storm in November. 207 Trade attendees representing 146 different companies/organisations attended the four sessions -three of which were held on cruise ships.
Twenty exhibitors representing 15 countries in Africa participated and were very impressed by the quality of attendees who were overwhelmingly senior Managers and decision makers.Several very substantial deals were concluded during the workshops and before the workshops ended some exhibitors reported that bookings were already being processed back in their offices.
Another feature of the workshops were the very substantial prizes offered by the exhibitors including air tickets with Air Namibia,Air France /KLM and Kenya Airways.
Exhibitors were of the opinion that the Nordic countries were virtually unaffected by the euro crisis and the desire to travel to Africa was on the increase.Norway with its very high standard of living is an exciting potential market.
Attendance statistics
COPENHAGEN
Personnel attending:Director/Managers -29;Sales/Consultants -18;Press 4 ;Others 3
Companies attending:Travel Agents 15;Incentive 4;Tour operator 15;Press 4;Embassy 1
OSLO
Personnel attending:Managers/Directors -30:Consultants /Sales -22;Press -4;Others –4
Companies attended:Travel Agency -6;Tour operators-27;Airline 1;Incentive Travel -3;Embassy-1;Press -4
Stockholm
Personnel attending:Owner/Director 20 Consultants 8 Embassy 7 Press 8 Others 3
Companies attending:Tour Operators 11 Travel Agencies 10 Incentive 4 Press 8 Embassy 2 Others 3
Helsinki
Personnel attending:Directors/Managers 25 Consultants/Sales 16 Embassy 2 Press 3
Companies attending:Tour operators 11 Travel Agencies 12 Press 2 Embassy 2
Some of the comments recorded during the Seashow included:
SA Ambassador to Norway
We need to do Spotlight on Africa workshops because of the long relationship Africa has with the Nordic countries. The Norwegians are wealthy people and they need the sun,enjoy different cultures ans share our love for nature.
This is a platform for the tourism industry to experience and see Africa in one venue
Julian Burton y Mones –Blue Bay Hotels
Spotlight on Africa workshops are superb opportunity to meet a wide range of potential business concentrated into such a short window of time
Johan Brits –Getaway Tours and Safaris
Direct business dealings with major Scandinavian tour operators– quality trade!…bookings already being received in my office.
Mari Fiede –African Profile Namibia
The Nordics travel trade are really interested in new exciting products and Africa is on their bucket list
Liss-Carina Lund - Jambo Tours Norway
Very interesting and learn a lot about various destinations in Africa. Made good contacts and touched base with contacts already made previous year. All in one venue.
Heidi Lium – Affinion International
Updated myself on new products and experiences in Africa. In a short time you can meet various people and take note of different developments.
Tone Eike – Kultur-Reiser
The place to make contact and experience the warm personal feeling of Africa and its people . It is informative and informal.
Michael Horn Le Voyageur Madagascar
I have also been positively surprised by the quality and number of buyers in Copenhagen,Oslo and Helsinki,and had some nice new contacts in Sweden as well
Robert Cullens – Safaris in Style
Value for money! Big supporter of Spotlight on Africa workshops. we have some really exciting mega deals in the pipeline from the seashow
Babra Adoso – Asyanut Safaris
Spotlight workshops in Nordic countries are very good for new contacts and new prospects. A destination like Uganda received a lot of exposure.
Trade Journalist Eero Havia – EH-Avia ltd Matkavikko Publi Press
Important platform to make reliable contacts in Africa. Travel products are varied and interesting.
Roberto Cerea TransAfrica Togo
It was great experience to meet so many Tour Operators interested in knowing more about West Africa!
Maxwell Moyo African Sun Hotels Zimbabwe
The attendance and quality of the buyers was indeed amazing. Thanks to you guys!
Matilda Ullberg Avia Reps Sweden
I talked to one product manager in Norway that does production for the entire world and are always really busy. I said that I was happy and surprised that she had time to come. Her reply was that this show is something she definitely prioritizes because of the quality of the show. So that definitely says a lot. Keep up the good work!
Derek Houston’s next European roadshow is scheduled for March 12-15 in Amsterdam,Prague and Warsaw and we plan to repeat the Nordics seashow for the 5th year running from November 12-16 2012
ITB Trend report
Of Europe’s nationalities, Swedes are travelling 7% more in 2011,making them the second-biggest outbound growth market after the Swiss (9%). By contrast,Germans are taking only 1% more trips than they did last year. Overall,trips out of Europe have increased by 4% this year.
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| View the Photo Album –Spotlight Nordic Seashows |