A big positive “dust” was raised by the launch initiative to hold the Days of Croatian Tourism in 2018 in Slavonia. Day after day, support is coming from all over Croatia from the entire tourism sector from Istria to Dubrovnik, as well as from Zagreb to Slavonia, and even beyond the borders of Lijepa naša.Support for the initiative # DHTSlavonija2018 is joined by the leading tourist company Uniline, as well as Robert Sedlar, executive sales director of the tourist company Uniline, who points out that the fact that the previous Tourism Days were held exclusively on the Adriatic, but whether Croatia wants to present itself as a full tourist country life during 365 days, and not only the land of sun and sea during the summer season, it is necessary that such events are held in the continental part of Croatia, whether it was Slavonia, Baranja, Međimurje, Zagorje or some other destination. ” First of all, great praise for the initiated initiative, but also the courage to propose an initiative of this nature at all, bearing in mind that the previous days of tourism have never been held in continental Croatia. From the leading travel company Uniline, but also my personal name, we are a great support to the launched initiative and we will be happy to respond if it is realized. ” Sedlar points out and adds that he sees no reason why tourism professionals from the sea would not be willing to visit Slavonia and experience something new and different from what the previous Days of Tourism have offered because Slavonia has a lot to offer and show.One of the counter-arguments of the initiative is the lack of congress space and the lack of more luxurious accommodation, but personally I do not see it as a problem but as a challenge, because certainly how the Days of Tourism can be held in a luxury tent, and as for accommodation there is a supplement through family accommodation. and as well as the fact that all the cities are only a 15-30 min drive away. Also, the main motive of the initiative is the development of a tourist destination and support for continental tourism, and not just the celebration of Tourism Day. “In any case, I agree with the above, a luxury tent can be a worthy replacement for congress halls, and the diffuse accommodation of participants is the creation of additional content and a new experience in relation to the Tourism Days held so far. There is nothing wrong with moving away from the usual concepts and reluctantly accepting a completely new concept that will contribute to the popularization of continental Croatia. This is an ideal opportunity to gather the tourism profession in one place and work together to get to know, but also to brand not only the region of Slavonia but the whole of continental Croatia. Holding the Day of Tourism in Slavonia is the first step towards strengthening continental tourism, which is a logical continuation of the strategy for the development of continental and rural tourism until 2020. ” Sedlar points out.One of the main goals, apart from the ceremony itself, is to extend the Tourism Days to three days in order to hold B2B workshops, ie to get acquainted with the destination Slavonia. Also, the goal is to motivate as many travel agencies as possible to come and get to know Slavonia in order to be able to generate specific tourist packages and thus start a story about tourist arrivals. Are travel agencies ready to offer Slavonia on the European market?”Uniline has the whole of Croatia in its tourist offer, but we must admit that the sales of Slavonia and continental Croatia are far lower compared to, for example, Istria or Dalmatia. One of the main reasons is the unrecognizability of the destination in Europe, which is close to us, let alone in the Far East or other markets from which our guests come. In order to change this situation and make Slavonia a desirable destination on the tourist map, only through joint work and engagement can we achieve the mentioned goals. Therefore, it is necessary that as part of the Tourism Day, B2B workshops be held on the topic of getting to know Slavonian natural beauties, cultural sights, ethno and gastro tourism, but also other interesting things that Slavonia has to offer. Of course, it is necessary to join the Days of Tourism as many travel agencies as possible in order to be able to generate specific tourist packages that they will present in their sales activities.”Says Sedlar and adds that with a good plan and strategy, all travel agencies that sell Adriatic Croatia should be ready to sell the rest of continental Croatia.One thesis that has been underlined for years is that continental tourism cannot attract a million tourists, a thesis that has no foundation, quite the opposite. On the contrary, Slavonia can and must attract millions of tourists. Of course, the main focus should be on quality, not on quantity, ie that it is not the imperative to count overnight stays and tourist arrivals, but on sustainable development. Just looking at positive examples such as destinations like Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, as well as Slovenia which is developing rapidly precisely through continental tourism. Is it time for a more serious turn of our tourism through the development of continental tourism? “If a real tourist story is created there should be no problem selling continental destinations. Croatia is a beautiful country, a country full of natural beauty, rich in culture, customs, gastronomy and oenology and it is something that should be presented to the world and introduce potential guests to everything they can experience in Croatia throughout the year. In any case, it is high time to make a serious shift in tourism towards continental destinations because the accommodation facilities on the Adriatic during the tourist season are far overcrowded in terms of supply. Every year we are visited by an increasing number of guests, and if we want this trend to continue and be recognized as a tourist country in the world, we must redirect guests to the continent. ” Sedlar pointed out.It is high time to make a serious shift in tourism towards continental destinations. Slavonia certainly has a lot to offer and show – Robert Sedlar, UnilineOne of the proposals is to brand Slavonia as one brand, one region, ie a tourist destination – Slavonia. And not as is the case so far that we have 5 counties and 5 different development concepts that are not in synergy. What is your opinion on this topic as well as the experience from other successful continental tourist destinations such as Tuscany, Bavaria, Provence… is there an interest of European guests for such an offer, ie to come to Slavonia? “Without synergy there is no success! The concept of county integration is more than necessary, because as mentioned above, success can only be achieved if we join forces and work together on promotion. Slavonia should be branded like branded Istria, Dalmatia or any other European destination. This is the only way to make Slavonia a recognizable, but also a desirable destination. ” Sedlar concluded.Support the initiative, and let’s start with concrete actions. Continental tourism can and must attract millions of tourists, if you don’t believe me, just look at how continental tourism is developing in Bavaria, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Yes, it is possible, the potentials are there, we have everything (resources, stories, knowledge, money, people), it remains only up to ourselves – people, ie the will and desire, to complete the tourist product and tell the story.#DaniTurizmaSlavonija2018 # DHTSlavonija2018
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