International Tourist Fair HOLIDAY & SPA EXPO 2011

Bulgaria’s main travel and tourism fair

PRESS RELEASE

The International Tourist Fair HOLIDAY & SPA EXPO 2011 opens its 28th edition from 17th to -19th of  February 2011 at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia.
Over its 27 previous editions Holiday & Spa Expo has established itself as the biggest and most serious Exhibition for the tourism industry in Bulgaria- a place to discuss and exchange opinions, to catch up with colleagues and listen to consumers. For the consumers it is a wonderful possibility to get information about numerous attractive offers for travel and holidays within a few hours.

The Event is organized by Prim Expo, under the aegis of Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism and in association with the Bulgarian Association of Travel Agencies, the Bulgarian Tourist Chamber, the Bulgarian Hotel & Restaurant Association, Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents, Sofia Tourism Council and the National Palace of Culture.

Media partners are leading electronic media and travel trade publications:  Darik Radio, Tourist Information TV channel, Tourism & Recreation Magazine, Travel Magazine, Vagabond Media, High Flights Magazine, OK Media Group, Bulgarian portal www.expomarket.bg.

Holiday & Spa Expo aims to demonstrate that Bulgaria is a country extremely favorable for tourism. Bulgaria’s great variety of natural resources offers opportunities for all kind of tourism all year round. A magnificent scenery, wonderful climate, monuments of a glorious past, churches and monasteries with long history, magnificent mountain ranges with thousand of plant and animal species, beautiful beaches with fine golden sands, clear sea water, curative spas, a delicious cuisine and excellent wines will attract everyone visiting Bulgaria.
Bulgaria has been listed among top nine global tourist destination for 2011 in CNN article.

Irrespective of the economic and financial crisis there is an interest for participating. 
Holiday & Spa Expo 2011 is delighted to welcomes 40 new exhibitors.
We are glad to note this fact, demonstrating the empowering dynamic of our incredible industry, its ability to bounce back, its flexibility and responsiveness, to be innovative.
According experts’ opinion the Travel and Tourism industry is extremely optimistic and 2011 will see it leave the global financial downturn behind. People in general still have a good appetite for travel.

Exhibitors profile include tour operators and travel agencies, hotels and hotel chains, climatic resorts,  spa and wellness centers, tourism organizations and municipalities, national tourism organizations, associations, hotel and spa equipment and others.

Bulgarian Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism participates with a national stand with co-exhibitors Regional Councils of Tourism and Tourist Information Centers.
Among the participants from abroad are the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, National Tourism Organizations and Boards of Greece, Cyprus, and Tunisia.
For the first time participate the National Tourism Organization of Serbia and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

In traditionally participating are tour operators, travel agencies, resorts and destinations, hotel chains, from Greece, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Croatia, Republic of South Africa.   

New participants are tour operators and travel companies from India, Israel, Venezuela, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, as well as from Turkey and Greece.
Among the new participants is Booking.Com - one of the biggest on-line reservation hotel companies.  Interest for visiting Holiday &Spa Expo is shown by tourism and travel professionals from Romania, Great Britain, Slovenia and other countries.

Holiday & Spa Expo Event Program offers a diverse range of seminars and round tables on current tourism issues and an attractive cultural program and entertainments for the public and the participants.

Prim Expo will present its special prizes and awards for different categories at a traditional cocktail-party organized for the participants of Holiday & Spa Expo 2011.

HOLIDAY AND SPA EXPO 2011 FIGURES:

Total number of Exhibitors 290
    Number of Bulgarian exhibitors - 240
    Number of foreign exhibitors (from 17 countries)- 50 
    New participants - 40

Exhibitor profile
    Tour Operators and Travel Agencies - 44%
    Hotels, Climatic and Spa/Wellness centers - 15 %
    Municipalities and Tourism Organizations - 15 %
    National Tourism Organizations, Associations - 8%
    Resorts and Holiday Clubs - 5 %
    Hotel Equipment - 2%
    Others - 1%
(including special Soft wear companies, Museums, Transport organizations, Professional Schools, Wine Cellars etc.)           

The Team of PRIM EXPO wishes all the participants a successful presentation in the 28th INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR
HOLIDAY & SPA EXPO!

HOLIDAY& SPA EXPO 2010

2010_Press